There's snow everywhere and the thermometer is stuck at the bottom. Schools are closed and the children need to be looked after. What happens about employees who decide that going to work isn't an option during inclement weather?
Do we need to pay employees who don't turn up?
Whether or not the employee is entitled to pay depends on the terms of their contract of employment. Normally bad weather is not an excuse for missing work and can be treated the same way as any other unauthorised absence would be.
However, docking the employee's pay in such circumstances may not be popular – it might be better to agree that they do extra work or take the missed time as holiday. Besides, unilaterally dockign an employee's pay could leave an employer facing a claim for making unauthorised deductions from wages, so if you decide to take such action, make sure you are entitled to do so.
What is essential is that you treat all employees the same way, so that your actions do not amount to discrimination in favour of or against a particular group of people.
If you have any doubt whatsoever about the rights and wrongs of your intended approach, call us for advice.