Adverse weather or emergency situations

Your manager is expected to use their discretion and judgment in deciding the most appropriate action to take during adverse weather, severe travel disruptions or emergency closure of premises.

Where possible, you should discuss with your manager about working from home or another location. This may differ according to: 

• the type of work you carry out 
• the impact of non-attendance on the provision of services to front line service users 
• personal health and safety 
• business continuity plans, such as how to cover key roles and deliver services without major service user disruption 

Closure of the workplace 

Buildings and workplaces will remain open unless there is a specific announcement, which may include: 

• an ECC alert text message
• an ECC alert email
• our staff incident helpline
• this website or essex.gov.uk 
• local radio such as BBC Essex and Heart FM 

We may also ask you not to travel to work if the police or other external agencies advise people to only travel in emergency situations.  

Travel advice during bad weather  

You can keep updated with the latest situation on the roads by visiting Essex Highways’ interactive maps and live travel information. 

Early closure 

In the case of worsening weather or hazardous driving conditions, managers can make a judgement call to allow you to go home in advance of an official announcement. 

When they discuss this with you, they should consider your circumstances including: 

• distance to travel 
• childcare arrangements 
• public transport availability 
• location, such as if you live in a rural area 

Travelling into work during adverse weather 

Unless you are told not to travel, you are expected to make a genuine and reasonable effort to get to work, including exploring alternative travel options. If you arrive late or have to leave early, you will receive your normal full pay. 

If you have a disability or medical condition 

If you have a disability or medical condition that may be impacted by severe weather or travel disruption, your manager should talk to you about what alternative work arrangements can be put in place. 

If you cannot get to work 

If you cannot get to work due to bad weather despite making a reasonable attempt, you should let your manager know as soon as possible. Managers will consider each situation on its merits and apply their decisions consistently. 

Your manager may ask you to work from home, if appropriate. They may also consider whether your absence should be taken as unpaid leave, annual leave, or as flexible working. 

If you are unable to work and need to take leave, this must be recorded in My Oracle.

If you do not contact your manager, your absence may be recorded as unauthorised and will be unpaid. In severe cases, your manager could consider taking disciplinary action. 

Absence due to responsibility for dependants 

If you cannot attend work because you need to provide emergency care for a dependant, for example due to school closures, then you can request dependants leave. You should record this as 'dependant care emergency leave' in My Oracle.

If you are working away during adverse weather  

Contact your manager if you're away on business and unable to return to your usual workplace due to travel restrictions.

In this situation, your pay and annual leave entitlement will not be affected.  

If you cannot return from holiday due to adverse weather 

Contact your manager if you're on holiday and unable to return to work due to travel restrictions. You should explore alternative means of transport and give your manager an estimated return date as soon as possible. 

Your manager will consider each case on its merits will explore with you if additional holiday, flexible working or unpaid leave will be used (including a combination of these options).

Getting paid if your workplace is closed 

If your workplace is closed due to severe weather or other disruption and you cannot work from home or at another location, you will receive your normal full pay. You will be paid regardless of whether or not you can get to work. 

Your manager will consider other options, such as later opening or closing times to make sure services can keep operating.