What is the responsibility of an employer to its employees in the event of a natural disaster?

Question

We are preparing today for the possible arrival of tropical storm or hurricane Faye. My employer told us that if we were unable to work because of the weather, we would still be responsible for that time off in the form of comp time or vacation/sick time.

That got me thinking....what if there was a real disaster? What if my home were damaged/destroyed and I couldn't be at work for some time?

What if members of my family were injured or killed? Would my employer fire me as a result of a natural disaster?

In the event of a natural disaster, in this case I'm thinking a major hurricane, what are the responsibilities of a RESPONSIBLE employer

towards their employees?

Answer 1

Typically, they have no responsibility to their employees.

If the business closes for reasons of weather or you can't get there, all the employer is saying is that if you want to get paid or compensated, then you'll have to take vacation time or use up your comp time.  You don't get to stay home and draw a paycheck

Otherwise - it's leave without pay.

Some more professional businesses often do let their employees work from home (or wherever they are).  

Answer 2

Well you are really asking about two different things, the responsibility of an employer to the employee and the responsibility of a "responsible employer" to an employee.

From a legal standpoint, employers are required to give you time off. That comes in the form of vacation and sick time etc. If you have none you get none and you can be fired if you miss work. But, like I said above, you asked two different questions. A "responsible employer" would be an employer that understands their employees are human and sometimes vacation and sick time is not enough to cover lifes unexpected problems. Legally they can let you go if you do not come in and don't have time off to cover the time. Many employers, the "responsible employers," will typically find some alternative. They may advance time off (which will be accrued in the future), deduct your paycheck, ask that you make up the hours at some point in the future etc. There are many options and any good company will work with you given that you have a good reason to not be at work.

So the real question isn't what an employers responsibility is to its employee's. You should be asking yourself, "does this company really give a **** about me?"

Answer 3

well, you added a qualifier to the last part of your question, that makes all the difference in the world.

employers are not responsible for making your life comfortable.  they have a mission and employees are merely a means by which the meet their goals.

a RESPONSIBLE employeer is indeed an employer who goes above and beyond what he is required to do.  if they choose to do so, that is honerable, but not required.