Norbert's snow absentees must use annual leave or make up the hours
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joanna.hourkeidrbi.co.uk NORBERT DENTRESSANGLE (ND) has told staff who could not get into work during the recent bad weather that they must either take the time as holiday or make up the hours.
The French firm says 25 out of 250 employees at its Thorncliffe, Sheffield depot were unable to get in on 5 January owing to snow.
In response to some employees contesting that such days should be written-off, Jim Maclecrie, general manager, ND Logistics UK, says: "Those that couldn't get into work were asked to fill out a
notification of absence: a standard document issued to all staff on their return to work after any absence, whatever the cause."
He adds: "While these forms are assessed on an individual basis, snow is seen as a genuine reason for absence, so this is not kept on staff records."
However, the affected staff have been told they must either take the missed day as annual leave, or make up the hours. N-D adds that weather policies are site-specific.
And while the Health & Safety Executive confirms that absence policies are created individually by employers, a spokesman warns: "With respect to the potential danger involved with extreme weather at work. employers are ultimately still responsible for the safety of workers." The Road Haulage Association's employment affairs director Ruth Pott says: "Each employer makes their own policies, but it is vital they warn staff about any rules in advance."
Elsewhere in the UK, managing director at Kentbased construction haulier Ardula, Martin Dace, tells CM that drivers were advised not to come into work if conditions were so bad that their vehicles would not be able to operate.
If employees decided not to use the days as holiday, then they were not paid.