The rules if you can't get to work because of snow and if you'll still get paid

The North East is continuing to see wintry weather, with more snow expected on Thursday and Friday.

Heavy snow has the potential to cause disruption and the Met Office is warning people to expect travel delays on roads and possible delays or cancellations to rail and air travel.

But what happens if you can't get to work due to bad weather conditions? Will you still get paid if you can't make it in?

Read More: North East snow LIVE: Updates as forecasters issue amber weather warning with 'blizzards' expected

According to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas), it's usually the responsibility of employees to get to and from work. And there's no automatic legal right to pay if extreme weather or transport cause problems getting to work.

Some employers might offer pay for these circumstances, says Acas. However, this should be written in your contract. Below is more advice from Acas experts on what you should do if you are having trouble getting to your workplace. They have more information here.

What you can do if you can't get to work

According to Acas, if someone cannot get to work or is delayed, they should contact their employer as soon as they can. The employer should talk through their options and make clear if their pay will be affected.

The employer and employee should stay in contact, making sure each person has up-to-date contact details. Depending on their job, the employee could check:

• they have what they need to be able to work from home, if this is an option
• any other ways to travel to work, if this is an option
• their clients or customers know the situation, to set expectations
• if any urgent work needs covering
• if they can make any other care arrangements for children or dependants where necessary

Other arrangements your employer could agree with you

When getting to work is difficult or not possible because of extreme weather, employers and staff should be as flexible as they can. The employer could agree to staff:

• coming in later that day if the weather or transport problem is expected to get better
• working flexibly so they can make up any lost working time
• working from home or adjusting a hybrid working agreement
• swapping shifts with those who can get in more easily
• changing duties temporarily to those that can still be carried out
• taking the time off as paid holiday

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