Why isn't there a law requiring employers to close businesses during terrible weather?

Question

I have worked retail for YEARS, and even if there is a state of emergency, mandandory evacuation, the governer has insisted everyone stay home--but your place of business makes you stay at work and REFUSES to close and sent thier employees home.

Why isn't there some sort of enforcement?

Answer 1

Perhaps you need to find a new job. All of the employers I have been associated with would send their employees home during a declared state of emergency. Especially one which included an evacuation order. However this is a free country, not communism, so each company is allowed to set their own rules, up to a point.

Answer 2

I guess because its mainly up to the owner of the business.

Great question.*

Answer 3

At my job they dont 'release' us because we are so called 'essential employees.'  But sometimes they will let us go on rare occasions. I guess it is up to the employer.

Answer 4

Sometimes the best place to be in an emergency is right where you are. Also pepople caught out in the storm or emergency can seek shelter in your place of business. If you all go home, you'll only clog the streets which emergency vehicles need to use. And you could get hurt or worse trying to get home.  Some buildings are built (state building code specifications) to withstand storm damage and gale force winds. So it may be best to stay put. Besides do you really want the gov't and state to micromanage you and your employer to this extent? I don't.

Answer 5

when we hit a level 2 snow warning in the winter I am allowed to go home.  Its taken me 2 years to convince my boss that we need this but around here we get dumped on with snow in a matter of hours.  Last winter it took me 45 minutes to get home and on any normal day it takes 10-15 minutes...then for 3 days after we were snowed in :)

Answer 6

I can't answer for your employer but my employer would refuse to close and send everyone home and pay them for the time they miss. Employees would want to go home if an ice storm "might" be coming, or if the weather "may" turn worse, but they would want to be paid for the time missed by the employer. I used to tell my employees, the company is not closing the office but if you feel it is not safe for you to come to work then stay home, you can use a vacation day to cover the time missed or take the day without pay. To which the employee would argue and fight about it.

If the state issues a state of emergency or an evacuation order (for a hurricaine, earthquake or other disaster) then the employer is not allowed to keep employees there. If it is truly an emergency, not a "possible" situation that may happen, then it is an individual decision to stay or go. But, being an employer at will they also have the option to terminate people with or without cause.

Answer 7

It is the law if the business lies in a mandatory evacuation zone at the time an evacuation order is issued.

Answer 8

I'm with you there 100 percent.

I'm actually kind of lucky in that I'm classified as self employed so I call the shots as to whether or not I'll bring my students in during bad weather. I will not do so during blizzard conditions, or if there are tornado warnings and the like. I know it's looked down upon by the director of the school, who NEVER closes the school and gets annoyed when I cancel lessons due to bad weather, but too bad really. I happen to think that the safety of my students and myself are more important than the 18 bucks they would have paid the school for their lesson that day. I'd rather see people home and safe than out driving on icy treacherous roads.

Am glad that I can call that one myself. Everyone should be able to do the same.