Volcanic Ash is HR Headache

An estimated 150,000 Brits are stuck abroad because UK airspace has been shut due to  flight cancellations following the  volcanic eruption in Iceland, leaving many employers with staffing difficulties.

This absenteeism, albeit unwilling, has raised some similar issues the the bad winter weather that we experienced this year.  A clear policy is the place to start so that employees are not surprised and disappointed by the effects on their pay and holiday entitlement when they cannot get to work.

There are several options that an employer may use:

• grant unpaid leave
• allow the use of annual holiday
• allow the time to be made up at a later date
• use discretion in each case to implement any of these or take no action.

Personnel Today has comment on this issue here.

The key to good staff relations is clarity beforehand, and if you would like assistance with putting a policy in place, Hardwick HR can supply one for you.
Please call or email for advice.