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Snow prevents one in seven staff from getting into work
ONE in seven workers failed to make it into work during the heavy snow and severe weather earlier this year, according to new figures from the Federation of Small Businesses.
Its ‘Voice of Small Business’ survey, produced in conjunction with ICM, shows that transport disruption and school closures meant parents had to stay at home.
Just over half of those small firms surveyed said they were prepared for severe weather disruption. However, on average a small business with seven members of staff saw one employee absent on at least one occasion - that is 15 per cent of staff from responding businesses unable to make it into work for at least a day because of the weather.
The FSB wants to put a stop to the country grinding to a halt because of increasingly erratic weather conditions and is calling for a national civil contingencies conference to bring together councils, regional development agencies, emergency services, school and teacher representatives, as well as business and relevant government department representatives to find ways to keep Britain moving.
Four in ten companies suffered disruption of services and goods due to the snow-covered roads, the survey found. Almost 30% reported a loss of growth and demand, 18% lost access to business premises and 11% had to
close completely.
However, 42% had put in place policies for remote working, while 30% turned to flexible working.
Carole Hegley (pictured), chair of FSB Luton and South Beds branch, said: " Small firms have shown that they are resilient and resourceful by putting plans in place and offering flexible working hours and remote working, but we need to be better prepared with more salt for roads to prevent staff from missing days of work and bringing the country to a standstill.
"The FSB believes that local authorities have not learnt from last year's bad weather quickly enough and we are calling for a national civil contingencies conference, bringing together all the relevant parties, to prevent the UK from coming to a complete standstill and find ways to keep Britain moving."
The FSB also recommends:
- The government produces mandatory guidance for local authorities, including salt level recommendations; and further increases its own private salt levels to supplement shortfalls where necessary;
- The Department for Children, Schools and Families, National Association of Head Teachers and Association of the Directors of Children's Services work together to produce better guidance and criteria on closing schools, to prevent closures where possible;
- The government's Civil Contingency Secretariat further supports, promotes and advises small firms on their business continuity planning, using tailored guidance such as that produced by the FSB.
22-02-2010
