You might think after thousands of years of evolution, we’d have noticed once a year, every year, the weather turns downright nasty.
But, no, every January we’re caught with our thermals down: roads are blocked, public transport stalls and offices and factories lie idle as workers fail to get to work.
If your mission is to succeed in HR, it’s your responsibility to help employees get the most from their roles – but first you must ensure they’re actually able to work in winter.
Let’s find out how.
Homework
Unless your line of business is whale watching, it’s never been easier to work from home. Thanks to improved connectivity, IT and telecommunications pros can easily arrange a home office set-up. That’s why so many HR Managers are proactively looking at the benefits of encouraging employees to work occasionally in the safety of their own living room rather than face a perilous commute through a snowstorm.
Flexible Hours
If there’s room for manoeuvre in deadlines, it makes sense to arrange for staff to extend their working day when they know they can get home safely. This also means you can cut the day short when it looks like worsening weather, safe in the knowledge working hours won’t be lost over the long term.
Staff Transport
It’s unlikely the budget will stretch to a fleet of arctic ski-doos or battle-ready Humvees. Sharing safe transport options, however, is a great way to ensure at least a core group keep daily operations going. Many taxi companies have 4×4 options available and advance booking for key players means the show goes on, whatever the weather.
Winter Warmers
You’d be surprised how motivational free takeaway meals and regular hot chocolate breaks with doughnuts can be in January and February. Bus stuck in a snow drift and the trains cancelled because of snow on the line? The promise of a warm pastry and fresh coffee makes even a five-mile stomp through the snow worthwhile.
Cool Clothing
Many companies expect employees to wear corporate, colour-coded uniforms yet offer nothing for the trek to and from work. Providing protective, weather-proof, branded clothing, including boots and reflective jackets, will not only keep staff safe on dark, winter nights, it offers an opportunity to market the company to thousands of commuters.
Is your career winter-proof? Find out how you can boost your prospects with top roles in HR and Recruitment from s1jobs.