ACAS Guidance for Winter Workplace Issues

Winter often brings its own set of workplace issues. Adverse weather conditions can lead to staff shortages due to travel disruption, and seasonal celebrations often result in a rush to book annual leave. Don’t get caught cold – have clear policies around getting to work and leave requests, and communicate them to your team now.

Adverse Weather Conditions

Key considerations:

• Employees are not automatically entitled to pay if they cannot get to work because of bad weather.
• Establish a clear policy so employees understand your expectations for travel in poor conditions.
• Be flexible where possible—for example, agree temporary working‐hour adjustments to minimise disruption.
• Use technology to keep the business running. Can employees work from home?
• Plan ahead: clear communication prevents misunderstandings and conflict.

For further guidance, view Acas’ adverse weather guidance or our internal Winter Workplace Issues Guide.

Managing Flu and Colds

Protecting attendance:

• Ensure employees know when and how to report sickness on day one.
• Hold return‐to‐work interviews to discuss short‐term absences.
• Require a self‐certificate for illnesses up to seven days or a Statement of Fitness for Work (fit note) for longer absences.
• Consult Acas’ managing attendance guidance to develop your policy.

More details are available in Acas’ Managing Attendance and Employee Turnover and our Winter Health and Attendance Toolkit.

Holiday Entitlements During Festive Season

Handling leave requests:

• Public holidays falling on weekends are substituted to alternative weekdays.
• There is no statutory entitlement to paid leave for public holidays beyond your contractual terms.
• All workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave. Additional leave may be agreed in contracts.
• You can set specific periods for leave, such as a Christmas shutdown.

For comprehensive information, see Acas’ Holidays and Holiday Pay leaflet and our Seasonal Leave Management Guide.

Wellbeing in the Workplace

Supporting mental health:

• Winter can exacerbate stress and depression. Spotting and addressing issues early is crucial.
• Approach employees privately and informally if you notice signs of distress.
• Train managers to recognise stress indicators and conduct sensitive conversations.

Explore Acas’ Health in the Workplace advice and the Acas booklet – Stress in the Workplace. Our Winter Wellbeing Resource Centre offers additional support tools.