Staff news

Updates to our Severe Weather Policy

The University has revised its Severe Weather Policy to give further clarity to staff and managers in the event severe weather affects working activities.

The Policy provides direction to staff when weather impacts travel and daily working activities. 

Working in partnership across HR, Service Excellence and with the wider University, we have now made some important updates to this policy.

These updates help align our policy with the Scottish Government and Scottish Trade Union Congress Severe Weather Fair Work Charter. They also address the queries we received as a result of the University’s closure due to severe weather last year.

Key changes

A number of changes have been made to the policy, including:

  • A table of scenarios to help staff understand what they should do if severe weather impacts their ability to work.
  • A checklist to help managers effectively plan in advance of and during severe weather.
  • Confirmation that there is no expectation for staff to work from home during a closure situation, although staff can still choose to do so if they wish and if they would do so in other circumstances.
  • Clarification of the expectation we have of critical services and essential staff during a closure situation. The policy now includes confirmation of a 50% hourly uplift in pay or the equivalent time off in lieu for essential staff who attend work during University closures caused by severe weather.

You can view our updated policy by visiting our HR policies, procedures and guidance webpage or via the web link below.

Related Links

Severe Weather Policy

HR Policies and Procedures