The first significant cold snap of autumn has arrived, blanketing parts of the UK in snow and ice and triggering Met Office warnings for dangerous travel conditions. With yellow and amber alerts active across Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and much of northern and central England, a pressing question is on the minds of millions of commuters: are you legally required to venture into work?
Do I Have To Travel To Work In Dangerous Conditions?
While the instinct might be to stay safe indoors, UK employment law does not automatically grant workers the right to remain at home during severe weather. Your contractual obligations to attend your workplace generally still stand. However, this is balanced by a crucial legal duty for employers.
Your employer cannot force you to undertake a journey that is genuinely unsafe. They also have a fundamental 'duty of care' under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which they cannot ignore. If heavy snow, black ice, or, significantly, an amber weather warning makes your commute perilous, you should contact your manager immediately.
The key is communication. Explain your specific situation and discuss potential alternatives. Many employers have adopted severe weather policies and will take a pragmatic approach, especially during an amber warning like the one issued for parts of Yorkshire on Thursday, November 20th, where forecasts predicted 15–25cm of snow.
What Are Your Employer's Legal Responsibilities?
When the mercury plummets and travel becomes hazardous, your employer's legal responsibilities come sharply into focus. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises businesses to be "flexible and supportive" when staff face dangerous commutes.
Specific duties include:
- Not encouraging or insisting on unsafe travel, particularly when police or official Met Office guidance advises against it.
- Considering home working where feasible. If your role can be performed remotely, this is a logical and expected solution.
- Ensuring the workplace itself is safe, which involves gritting pathways, maintaining a minimum indoor temperature of 16°C for most types of work, and having clear procedures for weather-related absences.
Furthermore, Section 44 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 offers vital protection. If you have a "reasonable belief" that travelling to or working in your workplace would pose a serious and imminent danger, you are protected from being disciplined for refusing to do so. Parallel legislation exists in Northern Ireland.
Will You Be Paid If You Cannot Get To Work?
The issue of pay is often the most immediate concern for employees. There is no single answer, as it largely depends on your employer's specific policies.
Some companies will continue to pay staff who cannot make it in, especially if they can work remotely. Others may require you to use a day of your annual leave. In some cases, if no work is performed and no leave is taken, the time off may be unpaid.
However, employers who penalise staff—for example, by forcing them to take unpaid leave—for refusing to risk travel during an amber warning could face disputes. This is particularly true if they have failed to consider reasonable alternatives, such as remote work.
As the UK navigates this period of severe winter weather, understanding these rights and responsibilities ensures both employees and employers can act safely, legally, and reasonably.
