Your employer's policy re: *snow and ice*?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi, I would really appreciate hearing from lots of people about what you do when you have to work but the roads are covered in snow and ice. I get many sarcastic or unrealistic responses from people I've asked. I should explain that snow and ice are still somewhat new to me, AND I have driven in a HORRIBLE ice storm and am still somewhat traumatized! :o

Once when I wasn't scheduled to work, the roads were treacherous and I was SO grateful to be off! When I asked my coworkers about it the next day, they said "they weren't that bad, I just drove slowly!" I'm happy for them, but I have slipped all over roads, even when I went slowly, and even slid through stop signs.....and it is SCARY!

I asked a paramedic what they do when there is an emergency out on rural roads that haven't been salted, and she said there's not much they can do, and maybe it's just that person's time to die......gee, what a great answer! (NOT!) :angryfire

I applied for a new job and asked the manager about snow and ice, and she said: "I *ALWAYS* make it into work, NO MATTER how bad the roads are, and I live a lot further than you!" :uhoh3: The thing is, I am dedicated to my job, but I am *NOT* willing to slip and slide on icy roads and risk my life......

So please tell me......what is your employer's view on this, and what do YOU do when the roads are just terrible?

I live in Vermont and expect snow and ice - I can honestly say I've never called in due to weather. For me that would not be a good enough excuse to not show up when I'm scheduled. Plan ahead, leave earlier and use additional caution.

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I say, "good for you". But I don't think an employer should ask you to endanger your life.

I live in Vermont and expect snow and ice - I can honestly say I've never called in due to weather. For me that would not be a good enough excuse to not show up when I'm scheduled. Plan ahead, leave earlier and use additional caution.
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Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Resource Pool, Dialysis.

Ya know... I'm not sure where Nurse got to equal Martyr. I'll do my best, but I'm not sacrificing my life for work. If a hospital can't handle a few people not making it to work due to weather, what the h*** are they gonna do during flu season??? Gee, how does your hospital handle sick calls?

I'm tired of the "If I can make it, you should make it, too" attitude. I've never had to call in because of weather, and I've driven through some nasty stuff. But I felt no compulsion to get there at the expense of my life - I always give myself the option to turn around and get back home if it got too bad.

Many of us don't CHOOSE to live in the area that we live in. Many of us don't have the OPTION of living in town, close to work. Everybody's so glad to have the help of the commuters in good weather, but God forbid if one day they can't make the 40 mile trip in over 2 inches of ice and blowing snow. Geezze.

Not always an exact science - that planning ahead business. What about the prediction of 2 inches of snow, which turns into 6 by the end of the day? The light freezing rain that turns into an ice storm? It's pretty easy for some of you to suggest arriving in town the day before to make sure you get to work, staying in a hotel. What about single parents? What about parents who work the same shift? What about people who's schedules with work and family balance on the head of a pin? It's easy to suggest, but not always so easily done.

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Specializes in LDRP; Education.
I say, "good for you". But I don't think an employer should ask you to endanger your life.

But by that logic, you could get into an accident and get killed by driving during a SUNNY day.

I used to work in an inner-city hospital in a VERY dangerous neighborhood. Should I call in and not show up for night shift because it might endanger my life driving through the neighborhood?

Today we had 3 inches of snow fall during the morning rush hour commute. I work 45 minutes away during a good day. Knowing the roads were slick with slushy snow and that it was turning into freezing rain, I left earlier and drove more cautiously. It took me 60 minutes to get to work but I arrived on time and in one piece.

Honestly, in the areas of the country where winters can be harsh, hospitals can't have employees calling in for every little bit of precipitation that falls. Patients need care - period. Who's going to take care of the patient who arrives via ambulance because of an accident on the freeway FROM the inclement weather? Is the trauma surgeon going to call in and say it's too snowy for him?

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Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Resource Pool, Dialysis.

I don't really think we're talking about "every little bit of precipitation" More like unusually inclement weather.

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I live in Ohio which is weird weather during winter seasons. AT my job in long term care facility if you live close the maintenace will come get you but you have to find your own way home. Other wise if you call in cosidered a occurance & you lose your bonus (money) extra for showing up & on time

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Specializes in LDRP; Education.
I don't really think we're talking about "every little bit of precipitation" More like unusually inclement weather.

Of course, but one person's definition of "usually inclement weather" can be much different from someone else.

For some, the 3 in snow fall this AM could be "unusually inclement" because it was a fast snow fall during the commute time.

In Wisconsin, I would expect that "unusually inclement weather" would mean the entire city was shut down ~ roads were inpassable. In those situations the nurses who were currently on staff would continue to do so, I'm certain.

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I live in area that seldom has ice/snow. So it's particularly challenging when it does happen. I work for a hospital that is open 24/7. Patients don't need less care when it snows. With that sarcastic comment made....here's a couple of suggestions. Allow plenty of driving time. Going SLOW is the key. 4 wheel drive is helpful, maintain long distances between you and other cars. The hospital will also send drivers out for essential personnel. It's important you give adequate notice of the need so plans can be made early on. My SO is in law enforcement and drives a non 4 wheel drive car in all kinds of bad weather. He's never had an accident, so it can be done. Be careful out there.

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So please tell me......what is your employer's view on this, and what do YOU do when the roads are just terrible?

I call for a ride.

Of course, I don't have a car, and have to ride my bike to work.

But tell them that YOU do NOT feel comfortable driving on the roads, and if they want you to come in to see if someone would be willing to pick you up, or you can find someone who happens to be near you, or driving close by on their way to work, and catch a ride with them.

Other than short of telling them where to go when there's an inch of ice under a foot of snow (like we usually have happening in Va), I dunno what to tell ya.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

We are expected to be at work no matter the weather. If we call in that we're stuck or the roads are unpassable they are very understanding and everyone pitches in. We don't get much snow and ice here but when we do it can be a real mess for sure!

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Specializes in CCU-ICU, Informatics.

I DO NOT risk my life to get to work. I understand that people are still sick when it is snowing but in my opinion it is far better for my facility to be without me for one day than to have to replace me because I am DEAD from driving in horrible conditions. When the State Patrol says stay home then stay home. This isn't rocket science and to be honest I can't believe how many people have said to go to work anyway. My attitude on weather related absences works both ways, if I am at work and others are not able to get there I cover for them knowing that eventually it will be me not able to get there. Any employer who threatens termination due to absences related to weather is no employer I want to work for. This is not to say that you should abuse weather related excuses. If you are new to snow and ice driving you should get some practice in when there is some on the ground but not a lot. Perhaps drive in to work early if you know bad weather is coming if you absolutely have to go to work. Under no circumstances DO NOT DRIVE if travel is not advised in your area. I don't care if you are driving a Sherman tank DO NOT DRIVE. People who drive in bad conditions create a hazardous situation for EMS crews who have to come and scrape you up off the highway after you crash your car. Let's have some common sense here.

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I live in an area where the weather can change in less than a mile. Last February we had just such an event. I went from snow to totally clear to black ice to snow covered ice. Not being a seasoned snow driver, I was being careful and driving slowly when some moron in a large 4WD pickup who thought he was invincible came sliding down a hill and hit me. I still went into work two hours late, stiff and sore and totally frightened by the whole experience. My nurse manager called in AFTER I got there saying that she was going to be late because of the weather. I got written up because of being late...think she did? From that day on, if the weather was bad, I had to be taken to work, I refuse to drive in the ice and snow. My hospital security says that they will come and pick me up but I live over 25 miles away from work, and what about getting home? I like my job, but I dont want to spend my entire life there.

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