Parents across Gloucestershire will be keeping a worrying eye on the weather forecast this week amid fears that the snow could close some schools in the county.

Commuters too will be dreading telling their boss they have to leave early on Thursday or are unable to get into the workplace on Friday morning.

Snow may be fine when you don’t have to get to work but when it comes on a school day it puts all but the most devoted of us in a predicament.

Do we simply make some hot chocolate and dig out the sledge or be that martyr who  struggles into the office even though it means a five mile hike on foot because the car couldn’t get off the drive?

Not everybody can get their hands on a pair of skis even if they do know how to use them.

What happens if you can't get the car out the drive?

Its all very well for the authorities saying don’t travel unless you have to,  but that won’t wash with the boss if colleagues have made it in your office, factory or shop.

Battling into work through the freezing fog on Thursday morning will be bad enough,  but what if it does start snowing in the afternoon.

Can you reach for car keys the second the first flake sticks to the pavement or leave the minute you get a message from school?

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Are you allowed to stay at home to look after your children if you can't get in on Friday morning? Do you have to take the day as leave? Here are your employee rights on snow days

Will I be in trouble if I can't make it in?

Your boss might be able to make you take unpaid leave, holiday days or work flexible hours to make up time – even if you legitimately can't make it in. But if you show you've made an effort and speak to them early, a reasonable boss shouldn't penalise you,  according to The Mirror .

It's worth checking your contract or staff handbook, though, in case there's anything in it about extreme weather. That way you'll know if your boss is being unfair.



Your employer can't make you take a journey that's not safe. That said, they don't have to pay you either.


Nope. If they've closed the office and you can't work from home then your boss can't dock your pay or make you take annual leave. Go build a snowman.

How bad is bad?


No. Employers normally have to give you at least two days' notice before they are allowed to make you take a day's holiday. But there may be wiggle room for them if you get more than the statutory minimum holiday (28 days).




You are entitled to take reasonable amounts of time off work if your childcare arrangements are unexpectedly disrupted. Although this could well be in the form of unpaid leave.

Government advice says  that if an employee’s child’s school is closed or their normal childcare arrangements are disrupted, they could have the right for time off to look after them.

This should be agreed between the employee and the employer.



