Paying your emeployees during inclement weather
- Brittany Crawford
- Jan 19, 2023
- 2 min read
It has been an interesting start to 2023. The “atmospheric river” that has hit our state has been unprecedented and a challenge to manage. After ensuring their employees are safe, employers are now navigating very specific pay questions. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions.
Do I need to pay my employees during a power outage in the office?
Maybe. If your non-exempt employees are at work when the power goes out and you require them to stay, then you must pay them. If you allow them to go home but let them know they will need to return once power is restored, you do not need to pay them for time spent at home. Important to note, reporting time pay does not apply when there is a power outage.
For exempt employees, if they have performed any work throughout the day, they should be paid for a full day of work. No deductions to pay should be made.
What if my employee’s power goes off when they are working from home?
If a non-exempt employee’s power goes off when they are at home or away from the workplace, they may have options. Your employee could go to an office or another approved worksite that has power if they can successfully complete their work. Your employee could also take PTO (paid time off)/vacation until the power returns. You are not obligated to pay a non-exempt employee that is at home with no power and unable to work.
For exempt employee’s, follow the same requirements as above. If they have performed any work throughout the day, they should be paid for a full day of work. No deductions to pay should be made.
What if my employee can’t make it into work because of road hazards?
If an employee, regardless of exemption status, is unable to get to their workplace due to a downed tree, fallen power line, etc., they can work remote if that is an option or they can use an available PTO/vacation day.
What if I am unable to process payroll?
If your payroll representative is unavailable or your payroll vendor is offline, you should notify your employees as soon as possible that their paycheck may be delayed. Reach out to our consulting team for more in-depth guidance on this situation.