Paying staff when the business closes
Unclear about whether you have to pay your team if they fail to turn up because of adverse weather conditions.
The NHBF advises that salon and barbershop owners who decide to close their businesses because of the weather must pay their staff. However, business owners do not have to pay staff who remain at home if the salon or barbershop opens.
Team members who have decided to stay at home would have to take any days off as a holiday, try to make up any missed hours over the next few days or take time off as unpaid leave.
There will be genuine reasons for absence in some instances, and employers should be sympathetic to those employees. For example, if a member of staff is required to stay home to care for their children because their school is closed due to the weather – this should be managed in accordance with your dependents' leave policy in your Employee Handbook. However, there are cases where employees will use these conditions as an excuse not to turn up to work.
Suppose employers find that employees have used the weather as a reason to take time off. In that case, they are well within their rights to not pay the employee for the time they have taken off or request that the individual take it as annual leave. If necessary, they could investigate the circumstances behind the absence and consider whether disciplinary action would be appropriate.
Establishing a formal procedure
The NHBF would suggest that Members put in place a formal procedure to deal with employees who are absent from work in such situations. Having a process to follow means an employer can show that employees are treated equally, fairly and reasonably, which is important if they want to discipline them for poor attendance.
Exclusive for NHBF Members
NHBF Members can download our staff handbook, which outlines the rules and procedures in place to ensure the smooth, safe, and efficient operation of the business for everyone's benefit. The handbook should be read in conjunction with the Statement of Main Terms of Employment.
Preparing for adverse weather
The NHBF strongly recommends that all salons and barbershops keep updated with the latest weather forecast which can be done through the Met Office website and make provisions for their business where necessary.