What's Your Snow Day Policy?

Feb 4

snowday

We had more snow today in Philadelphia than we had all of last year. (That’s a snapshot of my deck this morning.) Those eight inches of snow resulted in school closings all over the region. That shutdown snowballs because kids have to stay home — and so do parents. And that affects business.

What’s your snow day policy? If you’re like most companies, you have an alert line that employees call. No matter how much snow or bad weather there is, the message is the same: “Our offices are open. However, please use your discretion (otherwise known as your vacation days) as to whether you should come in today.” I get using a vacation day, but what I don’t get is the ambiguity. Should people take risks to come to work? What if they can’t afford to take off or don’t have any vacation days? I’m not looking for corporate welfare — far from it. I’m just wondering what companies do to make it clear what the policy is long before a big snow falls and then people are trying to make decisions at 5:30 in the morning. “Safety First” is always a good choice.

About the Author
Frank Roche

Frank started IFRACTAL over 7 years ago with Sarah Chambers. Together, they've created HR communications and HR software for some of the world's leading companies. Frank is also studying Flamenco guitar and origami.

Share this post

Comments

  1. Mark Walsh says:

    I recently blogged about the snow and people's reactions to it here:
    http://integrationtraining.blogspot.com/2009/02...

    Mark

  2. Frank says:

    Hi Mark,

    Interesting take…I laughed about the part where we think “It can't get worse.” So true. Thanks for the article. Fun stuff.

Leave a Reply

 
  • About KnowHR

    KnowHR serves up straight talk about human resources, communication and technology. Our goal is to help you make work better. Brought to you by IFRACTAL.

  • Featured Product

  • Sign up for KnowHR

    Want to receive KnowHR via email? Sign up now for our weekly KnowHR Newsletter.

  • Social Media

    • twitter
    • Facebook
    • Flickr
    • tumblr
    • youtube
    • vimeo
    • linkedin
  • Flickr

    • Bethany at IFRACTAL uses the Labyrinth as inspiration to practice contact juggling with an orange
    • We ring in success with the IFRACTAL cow bell
    • Charlie at IFRACTAL is suspended in midair above Chicago at the Sears Tower
    • Sarah at IFRACTAL has a thing for Pringles
    • Andy at IFRACTAL is pumped up for work this Monday
    • Farewell to Steve and Zack, the IFRACTAL interns!
    • Steph and Jess at IFRACTAL kicking it with Spiderman!
    • Furley working up a sweat at IFRACTAL
    • Pat at IFRACTAL says "Hail to the victors valiant!" #mgoblue
    • Shanna's accessories are nerfing to joke about at IFRACTAL!
    • Pat's a sweetheart, but she sure whips up some mean lunches in the IFRACTAL kitchen
    • Jess and Steve scream for ice cream at IFRACTAL!
    • Shanna at IFRACTAL is pretty in pink, pretty badass that is!
    • We know about presentation at IFRACTAL
    • Charlie in his new Do-Rag is handling business at IFRACTAL
    • Frank and Jess at IFRACTAL fall victim to a Candy Coma