Snow to cost businesses millions - and give bosses headaches

The heavy snow which has caused havoc across much of the UK today could cost the economy millions ñ and bosses headaches.

The lateness and loss of work hours caused by just one day of disrupted transport can cost the economy up to 400 million, according to the British Chambers of Commerce.

And for managers dealing with staff unable to make it to work, that can cause serious difficulties, employment law experts said.

Thousands of staff across the UK have already reported being unable to make it to the office due to the severe weather conditions.

While many of those will be genuinely unable to work, there will also be others trying to use the snow as an excuse for a day off.

Peter Mooney, head of consultancy at Employment Law Advisory Services, said he had already received dozens of calls from businesses across the UK wondering how to deal with absent staff.

ìMy advice to them so far has been to use a little common sense,î said Mr Mooney.

ìTechnically speaking, most employers are within their rights to say that anyone who canít make it in to work must take the day either as holiday, or unpaid leave.

ìHowever, Iíve also been telling people to show a little common sense, and be sympathetic to peopleís difficulties.

ìAs with sickness, the trick is to decide who is genuinely stuck and unable either to travel to work, and who is using a few flakes of snow as an excuse for a day off. Some people will make it into work even if they have to bring out the huskies, others will ring in at the first sign of poor weather.

ìToday, thousands will be genuinely stuck, and it pays in the long term to be sympathetic to them. That said, if youíre confident they are trying to take advantage, the threat of unpaid leave could be enough to solve their travel difficulties in an instant.î