Bosses have been encouraged to put mechanisms in place to cope with the possibility of severe staff shortages, as the cold snap currently affecting the UK threatens to continue into mid-December.
Absence management firm FirstCare stated that nearly half of those who have been unable to make it into work this week have been affected by non-medical issues such as transport problems and childcare.
“Our nurses have received an increase in calls relating to musculoskeletal absence this week,” said chief executive Aaron Ross. “It is therefore imperative that employers have a dialogue with their staff outlining [their] plans.”
He added that although most instances of weather-related disruption only tend to last for a couple of days, the current spell appears poised to last for considerably longer, posing more problems for companies.
Mr Ross’s comments came after Reculver Solicitors principal James Carmody recommended that employees should be allowed to work from home wherever possible in the event of inclement conditions.
Posted by Ross George
