I cant believe work.....

To all you people talking about skiving and "you are paid to be there doing the work" - do you realise that he simply does not get paid if he can't get to work? In which case, how is that skiving exactly?
 
if the OP got a taxi, it's not the distance I would worry about, it would be how bad the roads were which would then deem how much the taxi fare would be if the taxi was metered.
 
You could put it this way. I'm guessing walking is out of the question (not surprised as it would be silly to do so in these conditions), so that leaves you with either getting a taxi there and back or just not turn up. Either way you'll probably end up with the same amount of money at the end of it, because if you go you'll end up spending your wages on the taxi (would probably be £20-25 one way) and if you stay home you most likely won't get paid. So on that basis, I say stay.
 
gambitt said:
To all you people talking about skiving and "you are paid to be there doing the work" - do you realise that he simply does not get paid if he can't get to work? In which case, how is that skiving exactly?
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Probably because he'll be most upset if he's sacked?
 
Originally Posted by gambitt

If your idiot boss tries anything then you will have a strong health and safety case against him.
no he wont because outside of work his boss is not responsible for him whatsoever.
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its OPs responsibility to get to work on time and he probably signed up for that in his contract
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Your employer has a duty of care for you when you are travelling to and from work (found that out when my mum had a bad smash and insurance company claimed loss of earnings back from her employer as she had been returning from work)

It's a two-way street, my friend. Back in the day employers had loyalty to employees and vice versa.

These days it's all big, impersonal HR departments, and there is absolutely no loyalty between anyone. Your company will screw you over when it can and you almost have a duty to do the same thing back

So no, I wouldn't walk eight miles to work unless I was a surgeon or flight controller or something.
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Some employers are not so cut throat. But agree that in this instance (faceless supermarket chain) is likely just to use it as an excuse to fire you in the future if suitable
 
Everyone is missing the really obvious solution to this problem. The OP simply has to walk far enough to get frostbite on his toes then sue the arse off his employer and live a happy and fulfilled life (albeit sans toes) off the money.

:D

Please do not walk for 16 miles in the snow as I will feel a tad sad if you were to lose a toe or ten.

Check with a family member/friend/neighbour if they could possibly drop you in and collect you. Tell them you will willingly go to work if they will pay for the taxi as you don't have the money to pay for it. If you have exhausted all possible avenues then simply ring back and explain this.
 
Don't make it to work, don't get paid.

Simple as that, same as where i am.

Why does everyone think that isn't fair? Put your foot in the other shoe, would you pay your staff because they cant make it to work? Yes the weather is bad, but they are physically not at work, they made the decision to stay at home, drink hot chocolate and play video games. Would you pay them?
 
8 miles in the snow at night walking is taking it a bit to far. If you can't get in you can't and thats that. You wont get thanked for risking it so whats the point?. As for manning up, how about telling them to get real and have some consideration for your situation. Lets see how manly you feel sitting in A&E for hours on end getting patched due to slipping over and damaging yourself needlessly.
 
sanaxe1 said:
Please tell me when was the last time you walked 16 miles in the dark though snow and ice in temps reaching double digits into the minus as well as doing a 9 hour shift.
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FFS , he doesnt have to walk 16 miles ! theres surely many possible ways for him to get there and if by some chance there isnt then maybe the job location should be reconsidered

taxi being the first and best choice if he doesnt know anyone with a car. hes had all day ! and probably yesterday to arrange something. the snow is hardly a surprise and neither are the public transport issues.

sounds like he wanted an easy night off so rang work up thinking that hed get away with it and then when the plan backfired he came here for a whinge

the manager obviously couldn't really give a damn (and why should he ?) and just said 'walk' as an example.


op said:
I believe taxi would cost me around £15 one way.... an thats if they dont try & charge extra cos of the bad weather.

An if my maths is right il have about £10 left over after paying for 2 taxis.
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rubbish excuse and even if an 8 mile taxi really does cost that much then £10 and keeping a job is surely better than £0 and no job ? im sure that them seeing you make such an effort will do no damage either.

do you not know anyone with a car ? doesnt anyone at work go home in your direction ?
 
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Castiel said:
However, at night in sub zero temperatures no employer should be suggesting you walk 8 miles, they have a duty of care toward you on your way to and from work and thus the manager should consider this in their decision which they clearly have not.
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Completely agree with this. I live 3.5 miles from my work and I'd only walk it if the weather was good or if the boss begged me or promised me a bonus. To demand you walk eight miles, in the snow, at night, with temperatures dropping is ridiculous.
 
My take if I was your manager.

I would expect you to try and make every effort to find a way in. Just saying there are no buses isn't acceptable, try and find a family member/friend to drive you or something... equally, getting you to walk 8 miles is a joke and plain stupid. Your unlikely by the sounds of things to have any suitable clothing to attempt this, so you'll arrived cold, soaked, probably going home ill half way through the shift and being off for a week with the sniffles.

Ultimately, and being hard faced about it, you took the job knowing how far you lived away from it, and knowing the reliance you had on the public transport network. As a manager if I genuinely believed you had made every effort (as in, at least tried to leave your house) I'd probably try and sort something out outside of the HR gubbins. Reality is with a supermarket though is this will be a day unpaid or a days holiday at your choice.
 
jp_bl_68 said:
Completely agree with this. I live 3.5 miles from my work and I'd only walk it if the weather was good or if the boss begged me or promised me a bonus. To demand you walk eight miles, in the snow, at night, with temperatures dropping is ridiculous.
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Why would the boss give him a bonus for doing what he is contracted to do?
 
Raymond Lin said:
Don't make it to work, don't get paid.

Simple as that, same as where i am.

Why does everyone think that isn't fair? Put your foot in the other shoe, would you pay your staff because they cant make it to work? Yes the weather is bad, but they are physically not at work, they made the decision to stay at home, drink hot chocolate and play video games. Would you pay them?
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Fortunately I work for a very small and friendly company who can take that attitude when required. It's about give and take.
It's a very different situation I know but there are still employers out there who do care about their staff.

The OP's manager was being an idiot though and would probably be pleasantly surprised that he caused discomfort.
I would guess he expected the OP to just not bother anyway.
 
I think people are taking this "Walk!" thing too literally.

Personally it sounded like he meant "i don't care how to get here, just get here!"

Walk is just one of the ways (and he WILL get there if he leave early enough).

The OP however should ot expect to be paid if he didn't make it in.
 
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