I’ve been wondering about the upcoming shift back to working in the office five days a week. What happens on days with heavy snowfall or dangerous road conditions? Will any member of SLT actually make the call to let employees work remotely when it’s clearly unsafe to commute? All those “Safety Moments” we keep talking about - Is it just talk?
Take today, for example. MX sent out a winter storm warning last night, yet employees are still expected to show up in person for work, for meetings. Managers aren't making the call to tell workers to work remote or to reschedule in-person meetings.
Sure, buses and trains are technically running—delayed, but “safe”—but what about the people who still have to commute to the station or walk in those conditions? It feels like safety is presented as a priority, but not actually upheld—especially when it comes to in-office expectations. The push to get people into the office seems to stir up optics and override empathy and basic common sense.
Great question. I don’t know if this follows the policy but my director has told us we are a culture of safety first so when weather is bad, he’s told us to consider working from home if possible. When January comes, I don’t know if his stance will change.
I know the core OPS guideline is ad hoc remote work arrangement for situations such at this are allowed.
I feel that is important. I just wished that everyone, all directors, all managers feel that they can make that call without repercussion.