Thomas Mansfield Solicitors

Amid further disruption to the national transport network union leaders and employer groups are urging companies, where possible, to allow people to work from home. However, employers who have been hit the hardest by the bad weather are refusing to rule out docking workers' pay if they are unable to get to work. Others have told staff that if they cannot get to work or work from home they must take compulsory holiday or unpaid leave.

Unless a contractual terms specifies that an employee will be paid in the event they cannot get to work due to poor weather conditions, employers are under no obligation to pay staff who do not turn up to their normal place of work. Employers can also ask staff to use up any annual holiday entitlement. Meredith Hurst says: "The obligation is on the employee to try and get there and be ready, willing and available to work. However, if they are having problems, employers would be advised to make accommodations."