Should I go to work tomorrow?

radiantquest · Feb 8, 2010

OK I am not trying to be a slacker here at all. In fact I want to go to work. I am tired of sitting around at home. Here is the problem I live on a terrible road. It is beautiful in the summer and fall, but treacherous in the winter. I work an hour from home. I am not due in until 3pm and scheduled until 9pm. There is not an option of going in early. I researched and it said that that there is a 70% chance that it will begin snowing at 1pm. Even if it does not start until say 4 or 5 I have to leave immediately or else I will not make it home. I even thought of staying my entire shift and parking my car at my inlaws and having DH come pick me up in his 4 wheel drive for the rest of the trip, but there is no place for me to park it is all full of piled snow. I do not want to drive an hour to sit there for an hour and then have to drive home in snowy conditions. I am not worried about 50 minutes of the trip. It is the last 10 minutes that are dangerous.

What should I do? Might I add that I have only been there a week today. I do not want my boss to think that I am lazy and do not want to work, but I also do not want to wreck my brand new car either.

The radar map says 6-12 inches and probably more where I am located.

BeachRunner · Feb 8, 2010

The most important thing is your safety. If you truly feel like your safety will be jeopardized, I''d stay home. I''d wait until tomorrow, around 1pm, and see what it''s doing outside, and reassess your situation at that time.

Be careful!

stepcutgirl · Feb 8, 2010

Date: 2/8/2010 9:44:05 PM
Author: BeachRunner
The most important thing is your safety. If you truly feel like your safety will be jeopardized, I''d stay home. I''d wait until tomorrow, around 1pm, and see what it''s doing outside, and reassess your situation at that time.

Be careful!

Ditto.

sparklyheart · Feb 8, 2010

Your safety is obviously top concern.. However, if you call in your boss will most likely know it''s because of the weather (or at least suspect that). If it is a place that may close or have significantly less business or work to do because of the weather then would they consider closing early? I''m not saying to suggest that but just something to think about.. I''m assuming you can''t work from home since you are thinking about calling in.. I would probably at least call your boss and talk about the weather... I know that may not seem like that great of an idea but like I said, if the weather is that bad then he will probably suspect that is your reason anyways (esp if he knows where you live). Tell him you live so far away and don''t want to let them down but that you are concerned for your safety. Maybe there is someone who lives closer who you could switch with? I don''t know how it is at your job but at mine we get in big trouble for calling in because of weather.. so I think I would try to work around it or at least let your boss know your concerns.. At the very least I would hope he would appreciate you trying to make something work instead of just calling in. Good luck and be safe if you go in!

Luckyeshe · Feb 8, 2010

Date: 2/8/2010 10:23:40 PM
Author: sparklyheart
Your safety is obviously top concern.. However, if you call in your boss will most likely know it''s because of the weather (or at least suspect that). If it is a place that may close or have significantly less business or work to do because of the weather then would they consider closing early? I''m not saying to suggest that but just something to think about.. I''m assuming you can''t work from home since you are thinking about calling in.. I would probably at least call your boss and talk about the weather... I know that may not seem like that great of an idea but like I said, if the weather is that bad then he will probably suspect that is your reason anyways (esp if he knows where you live). Tell him you live so far away and don''t want to let them down but that you are concerned for your safety. Maybe there is someone who lives closer who you could switch with? I don''t know how it is at your job but at mine we get in big trouble for calling in because of weather.. so I think I would try to work around it or at least let your boss know your concerns.. At the very least I would hope he would appreciate you trying to make something work instead of just calling in. Good luck and be safe if you go in!

I agree with sparklyheart. I know that your safety comes first, but since this is your first week at work....you may want to consider talking to your boss about what your options are. Maybe they''ll let you come in early instead of later even if it''s only for a few hours earlier and get sent home afterwards even if it''s just for a day. I hope it works out for you!

that_someone_special · Feb 8, 2010

I would go in. I don''t think that 6" is a lot.... just drive slowly and carefully.

I guess I''m curious but what makes the last 10 mins of the trip so dangerous?

iheartscience · Feb 8, 2010

If your work is going to be open and fully operational I would do your best to make it in, especially because you''re brand new.

Honestly, if I were your boss and I needed my employees to be there, "I live far away" wouldn''t really work for me as an excuse. You knew you lived far away when you took the job, you know?

I''m not saying you should put yourself in danger if the roads are treacherous, but you should at least make the effort to go there even if you do end up getting sent home because of the snow after an hour or two. It''ll show that you''re committed and are a reliable employee.

lilyfoot · Feb 9, 2010

Date: 2/9/2010 1:13:49 AM
Author: thing2of2
If your work is going to be open and fully operational I would do your best to make it in, especially because you''re brand new.

Honestly, if I were your boss and I needed my employees to be there, ''I live far away'' wouldn''t really work for me as an excuse. You knew you lived far away when you took the job, you know?

I''m not saying you should put yourself in danger if the roads are treacherous, but you should at least make the effort to go there even if you do end up getting sent home because of the snow after an hour or two. It''ll show that you''re committed and are a reliable employee.

I agree.

I''m not familiar with snow at all (I''m a Florida girl

), but is this a normal amount of snow for this time of year?

Ara Ann · Feb 9, 2010

We're due to get 10 inches of snow over night tonight and then the wind is supposed to kick in, blowing back onto any cleared roads, so I am concerned about my son's GF getting to work tomorrow too...her car isn't the most reliable and she also is newer to her job, so her health care coverage hasn't started yet.

My advice to her is, since it will not 'make or break' the company so to speak, if she's not there, and since she has no health coverage yet, I think she should call in...her health and well being is more important than her job, IMO. This is NOT a career type job either, which makes a difference.

So you have to weigh your options...I understand why you'd want to call in, I hate driving in bad weather too...and an hour drive will easily double if not more, in that kind of weather. I guess the real question is, do you think you'd be let go for calling in? And can you afford to be let go if so?

And yes, 6 inches IS a lot of snow, especially driving in a regular car...maybe SUV's or trucks can handle that better, but a lot of people don't have 4 wheel drives...

Be careful everyone!

charbie · Feb 9, 2010

we are anticipating the same amount of snow, actually.

i have a lot of people i work with who live out on country roads and drive to the city for work. many have been able to come in a bit late or flex their schedule, but we still expect them to make it in. i work in a 24/7 industry, and we have a mandate for people to stay in the building for their replacement to get there, and if they leave, it is job abandonment.

if you truly feel youre in jeopardy going to work, i''d call your boss to talk about options. just calling off and saying, "its due to weather" isn''t a great excuse in my book, to be perfectly honest.

Smurfysmiles · Feb 9, 2010

Er...tough love coming. Being a girl from north dakota where 6 inches really isn't a lot of snow....
If we weren't at work, we did get in big trouble. Weather just didn't fly as an excuse to not come in unless it was 0 visibility. If it is going to make your drive longer, well then can't you just leave earlier? Drive slow? If you are careful you most likely will be just fine.

I'm almost appalled when it snows 6 inches in Colorado and I'm the only one in the office. Some of these people live 10 minutes away from work! Not to mention it really makes me bitter if I have to pick up the slack for everyone who doesn't come in. Don't expect just your boss to be upset, expect whomever is going to have to cover you to be annoyed as well. Probably not the best impression to make in your first week.

Maisie · Feb 9, 2010

It really depends on how passable the roads will be if it does snow. I live in England and we had around 6 inches of snow at Christmas. You haven''t seen anything like it! Nobody wanted to drive, there were severe weather warnings and loads of accidents. It seems we just weren''t ready for the snow.

PinkTower · Feb 9, 2010

I know so many people out of work. College Grads are working the retail jobs at the mall now.
Can you park behind the other cars at the relatives, or shovel somehow?

that_someone_special · Feb 9, 2010

Date: 2/9/2010 11:25:54 AM
Author: Smurfyimproved
Er...tough love coming. Being a girl from north dakota where 6 inches really isn't a lot of snow....

If we weren't at work, we did get in big trouble. Weather just didn't fly as an excuse to not come in unless it was 0 visibility. If it is going to make your drive longer, well then can't you just leave earlier? Drive slow? If you are careful you most likely will be just fine.

I'm almost appalled when it snows 6 inches in Colorado and I'm the only one in the office. Some of these people live 10 minutes away from work! Not to mention it really makes me bitter if I have to pick up the slack for everyone who doesn't come in. Don't expect just your boss to be upset, expect whomever is going to have to cover you to be annoyed as well. Probably not the best impression to make in your first week.

I really agree with this- as I'm in MN and 6" isn't much (and if it matters I don't have an SUV or truck either)... I always managed to get to work on time and before my shift started- while people called in late or never showed up and I had further to drive!! Drove me crazy.

Sizzle · Feb 9, 2010

What kind of car do you drive? 6" isn''t much for IL (we''ve got about that now and it''s still coming down), but if you feel your safety is at risk and you can afford it, I would call in.

radiantquest · Feb 9, 2010

I did come to work. It was not snowing when I left and it has started snowing, but not sticking. Yes, I know that I chose to take a job 1 hour from home, but we have never had snow like this before and the issue isnt, like I said a majority of the drive it is the last bit. I would park somewhere else and have DH come get me, but I cannot. I have pictures that I took on my way out this morning. It shows the turns and lack of room should you slide before you hit a bank. The only thing it does not show is the incline/decline. I do not have the camera cable with me, but once you see the road you will understand why it is an issue. DH said it is a 12% grade down the awful hills with turn and then back up with the same grade and same kind of turns.

I have had neighbors do the come get me and I will come to work and once their employers saw the road they never said a word again, I just showed my boss and he agreed that it looks treacherous and once it starts to stick I can go home.

BeachRunner · Feb 9, 2010

Date: 2/9/2010 4:45:21 PM
Author: radiantquest
I did come to work. It was not snowing when I left and it has started snowing, but not sticking. Yes, I know that I chose to take a job 1 hour from home, but we have never had snow like this before and the issue isnt, like I said a majority of the drive it is the last bit. I would park somewhere else and have DH come get me, but I cannot. I have pictures that I took on my way out this morning. It shows the turns and lack of room should you slide before you hit a bank. The only thing it does not show is the incline/decline. I do not have the camera cable with me, but once you see the road you will understand why it is an issue. DH said it is a 12% grade down the awful hills with turn and then back up with the same grade and same kind of turns.

I have had neighbors do the come get me and I will come to work and once their employers saw the road they never said a word again, I just showed my boss and he agreed that it looks treacherous and once it starts to stick I can go home.

No need to justify your doubts about going to work. Glad you made it safely!

I am a sucker for snowy photos though

sweetjettagirl04 · Feb 9, 2010

If I''m not mistaken, I think we live around the same area. For those who say 6 in is not a lot, they have not seen the other drivers and lack of care given to the roads when our snow falls....

radiantquest · Feb 9, 2010

My supervisor sent me home at 5:15. It took me a little longer to get home, slipped a bit, but I made it. DH was standing outside and he said he was only going to wait a couple more minutes until he went looking for me. I have pictures, but they arent snow pics, just pics of my road...

radiantquest · Feb 9, 2010

Keep in mind that every picture shows the turn, but not the incline or decline grade.

Don''t mind the speedometer. I was stopped, but it takes a second for the speedometer to reach 0