Here in Wisconsin, the USPS is not delivering mail, schools, government offices, malls and restaurants are closed, and UW has cancelled classes…Nobody is going outside to work or play in -50° F wind chills, except for those who are keeping us warm and safe! If we aren’t going to work or playing outside, how many of us are working remotely today?

If many of your employees are taking advantage of remote work today, this may be a great time to create or update your Inclement Weather Policy. Over the years, we have been very fortunate in Wisconsin to have not had many reasons to close our offices other than snow, until last year when we saw state-wide flooding. Consider expanding your inclement weather policy to involve other emergency closings, an explanation of how employees will be paid and factors to consider when working remotely.

The Lake Effect team is here to help you draft a compliant inclement weather policy and other employment-related policies aligned with your organization’s culture, concern for employees’ safety, and your operational productivity goals. When reviewing your policy consider the following:

  • Parameters to determine when the office will be closed
  • Mechanisms to communicate office closures, keeping in mind possible power outages at home
  • Determination of which employees will have the ability to work remotely
  • Consideration of Wage and Hour laws and regulations
  • Compensation of employees for working remotely — or not working
  • Employee use of paid time off
  • Impact of weather-related absences on attendance records

Contact the attorneys or HR professionals at Lake Effect HR & Law to help guide you through the storm.