When it rains, it pours

This winter’s extreme weather is wreaking havoc on employee attendance, not just in New England where the WFI is headquartered, but all over the country.
According to a new survey we sponsored, one-third of full-time employees surveyed have had their commute to or from work affected by severe weather in the past three months. Of these, 23 percent arrived to work late, 16 percent had to leave early, six percent were not able to make it to work at all, and five percent chose to work from home rather than attempt to brave the harsh conditions. 
Late arrivals, early quits, and absences can upset daily operations.  And the employees who make it to work are less productive; they’re distracted discussing the weather with co-workers, gazing out the window at the weather, or scrambling to make alternate arrangements for child care or the ride home.  

Workforce Institute’s opinion
Communicate clearly and in a timely fashion with employees about your policies concerning weather and other emergency circumstances.  Be understanding about absences due to severe weather and take steps to ensure that employees are safe.  Closing the office when conditions are dangerous, for example, can help build positive employer-employee relationships, because employees feel that their employer has their best interests at heart. To learn more about the survey findings and methodology, see our press release, “Extreme Weather Wreaking Havoc on Employee Attendance”.  To hear the employee point of view, check out the accompanying video.