Travel Disruption and Work: Snow Days, Strikes and Your Pay

Every disrupted commute raises the same three questions - do I have to come in, do I get paid, and can they make me take holiday. The answers turn on who is prevented: you, the employer, or your childcare.

You cannot get in: the default

Travel disruption preventing you from reaching work is your risk: no work, no statutory pay, however blameless the cause. Check three things before accepting a deduction: whether the contract or handbook has an adverse weather policy (many pay for the first day), whether custom and practice has established payment in past disruptions, and whether working from home is feasible - an employee who can work remotely and does must be paid in full.

The employer closes: pay is due

If the workplace shuts - power failure, flood damage, snow closure decision - employees ready and willing to work must be paid in full. Sending people home mid-shift does not remove the obligation. Only an express lay-off clause in the contract allows unpaid closure, and even then statutory guarantee payments (a modest capped daily amount for up to 5 workless days in 3 months) apply.

The pressure points

What employers can and cannot demand

• They can require reasonable efforts to attend and evidence of the disruption, but not demand you drive in dangerous conditions - health and safety duties cut the other way.
• They can dock pay for genuine non-attendance where no policy provides otherwise - but must not dock pay of anyone who worked remotely.
• Forcing holiday requires notice of at least double the leave length; retrospective conversion of absence into holiday needs your agreement.
• Disciplining employees who followed official do-not-travel warnings is a constructive dismissal risk.

Related guides

This article provides general information only and is not legal or financial advice. Employment rights depend on your contract, employment status and circumstances. For advice on a specific situation, contact ACAS on 0300 123 1100 or a solicitor regulated by the SRA. Figures relate to the 2026/27 tax year and are verified against GOV.UK at the review date; always confirm current rates on GOV.UK before acting.

Frequently asked questions

Do I get paid if I cannot get to work because of snow?

Not automatically - travel to work is your responsibility, so absence is unpaid unless your contract, a policy, custom and practice, or remote working provides otherwise.

Does my employer have to pay me if the office closes?

Yes. If the employer closes the workplace and you were ready and willing to work, full pay is due - unless a rare express lay-off clause exists.

Can my employer force me to take holiday for a snow day?

Only with notice of at least twice the length of the leave. Same-day instructions to take today as holiday do not meet the statutory notice rule.

What if my child’s school closes suddenly?

That is an emergency involving a dependant: you have a protected, unpaid, day-one right to reasonable time off to arrange childcare, and refusal or punishment is unlawful.

Am I paid if a strike stops the trains?

The same default applies as for weather: no attendance, no pay, subject to policy, custom, or the ability to work from home.

Can I be disciplined for not coming in during a red weather warning?

Disciplining someone for following official danger-to-life warnings is a serious legal risk for the employer - raise the warning in writing and offer remote work where possible.

Sources

• GOV.UK: Travel disruption and work
• GOV.UK: Time off for family and dependants
• ACAS: Travel disruption and bad weather