#EmployeeRights #WorkplacePolicies #TerminationDueToWeather #HarmfulWeatherConditions
Hey there! It sounds like you’re in a tough spot with your employer and the extreme weather conditions in the Midwest. Don’t worry, I’m here to provide some input and advice on what you can do in this situation.
Understanding Your Rights
When it comes to employment and termination due to weather-related absences, it’s essential to know your rights as an employee. Here’s what you need to consider:
Probation Period Policies – Many employers have a probation period for new hires, during which they may have stricter attendance policies. However, this doesn’t mean they can violate labor laws or your rights as an employee. In the state of Illinois, employers are required to follow labor laws and regulations set by the Illinois Department of Labor.
Weather-Related Absences – Illinois labor laws recognize that extreme weather conditions can make it unsafe or impossible for employees to travel to work. An employer should not terminate an employee for taking necessary precautions to ensure their safety during such conditions.
Discrimination and Retaliation – It’s also important to consider if your employer’s actions are discriminatory or retaliatory. If multiple employees from your department called off due to the weather, it’s concerning if only certain individuals are targeted for disciplinary action.
Steps to Take
Now that you understand your rights, here are some actionable steps you can take to address the situation:
Document Everything – Keep a record of any communication with your employer regarding the weather-related absence. This includes phone calls, emails, or any other correspondence that may be relevant to the situation.
Know Your Company’s Policies – Review your company’s employee handbook or HR policies regarding absences and termination during probationary periods. Understanding the specific guidelines can help you advocate for yourself effectively.
Seek Legal Advice – If you believe your employer is violating labor laws or your rights as an employee, it may be helpful to consult with a labor lawyer or employment law expert. They can provide clarity on the legal implications of your situation.
Tips for Future Situations
While you navigate the current circumstances, here are some tips to keep in mind for any future weather-related absences:
Open Communication – It’s crucial to communicate openly with your employer about your situation. Discuss the specific challenges you’re facing due to the weather and seek alternative arrangements if possible.
Documentation – Whenever you need to take a weather-related absence, make sure to document the conditions and any factors that prevent you from safely commuting to work. This can support your case if there is any dispute in the future.
Know Your Rights – Educate yourself about your rights as an employee in your state. Understanding the labor laws and regulations can empower you to advocate for yourself effectively.
Seek Support – If you feel that your employer’s actions are unjust or discriminatory, don’t hesitate to seek support from labor advocacy groups or organizations that can provide guidance and assistance.
In Conclusion
Dealing with termination due to harmful weather conditions can be a challenging and stressful experience, especially as a new employee. Remember that your safety and well-being should be a top priority, and your employer should respect that. By understanding your rights, documenting your situation, and seeking appropriate support, you can navigate this situation with confidence and clarity. If you ever find yourself in a similar predicament in the future, you’ll be better equipped to address it effectively.
Hang in there, and I hope this advice helps you find a favorable resolution to your current circumstances. Stay safe and take care! 🌦️👩💼
You have no job protections from the weather.
Depending on the severity it would be pretty heavy handed to term someone due to severe weather, but would be legal. You’re employed at will.
Of course, a job that will fire you due to dangerous weather conditions may not be worth one holding onto in the first place.
You could get the ice off your car if you had to. Is that the only thing stopping you from going or is it truly unsafe?
Unless there’s a stay at home order issued by the government, then yeah, your job is in jeopardy.
Agreed with everyone else here. I’m also from the Midwest (IL too!) and this used to always grind my gears.
Tbh tho – a workplace who doesn’t value my safety is not a place that I’d personally want to work.
I had a similar job once and similar requirements. We had snow (I live in Texas) so I woke up 3 hours early, cleared my car, and drove in at 10mph. It sucked, I hated it, but I didnt get termed that day.
Its a bullshit requirement, its terrible, its awful, but if you need the job its what you signed up for.
Its winter, if your area is prone to getting winter weather you need to learn to deal with it.
You aren’t protected from the weather.
I live in a mountainous, snowy area. Generally speaking, unless we are talking FEET of snow, everyone is expected to, and usually does, show up to work.
People know how to prepare for weather – it is literally just a part of living here. You pay attention to the weather and adjust your behavior accordingly. It’s called being a grown-up.
If you’re supposed to get snow overnight, you back the car in the driveway and leave it as close to the road as possible. You always unfold your windshield wipers to make ice and snow removal easier. You shovel snow periodically throughout the night to keep up with it, or you wake up early enough to dig outm You leave for work early so you can make it to work, understanding you will need to drive slower because the roads are bad.
Judging what I’ve seen of the weather in the midwest the last few weeks, you didn’t have an excuse to miss work. They didn’t get snow. It was just cold and icy. If you ran your defroster for a half hour or so, all the ice probably would have melted off your windows with no problem.
Yes, you hear about accidents on days like this, but it’s usually people who are rushing to work and driving too fast for the road conditions. If you drive slow in bad weather, you will almost never run into an issue. Just take your time, take back roads instead of the highway to avoid people driving unsafe.
It sounds to me like you’ve learned a valuable lesson in what you need to do to make it to work in the morning. The way I read this situation, it reminds me of a lot of teenagers I encounter…they wake up like its a regular day, go out to the car and dont want to be uncomfortable while they defrost their car, so they go inside and go back to bed.
Your employer is not being unjust if they hold you accountable for missing work. If you have PTO to use, its your prerogative to use it, but that doesn’t sound like the case here.
P.S. if you’re going to call off of work in winter weather conditions , “car won’t start” is a far better excuse. Cold weather drains batteries and is going to be far more believable.
If you want to get technical, you would be let go for calling in during your probationary period. The weather just happens to be the reason for the call in.
It sucks but it’s also perfectly legal. And I’m absolutely not down playing your weather or stating what you should have done but in absence of declared emergencies, most employees are expected to account for the weather and adjust their drive times.
Are schools closed? Are buses running? Are flight cancelled?
I also live in Illinois and am getting the sleet you are describing. My usual 30 minute drive took an hour because I drove slow and was very careful.
I’ve always used as a guide, If schools are open, the roads are safe to travel with reasonable caution.
Some companies don’t give a crap about weather excuses.
When the weather is bad, It’s better to show up late, when it’s safer to travel, than not at all.
FWIW, in New England, we crank up the defroster to hot, let the car run a few minutes and it will defrost the windows. You can accelorate the melting by splashing some windshield washer fluid on your windows. The high alcohol content (don’t drink it) has a low freezing point.
And you should get deicer spray in case your key hole gets frozen
If you cannot actually get out of your neighborhood, you call off. If the schools are open and you can get out of your neighborhood, you go to work.