Public transport determines paid absence

The availability of public transport determines payment for public employee absence due to poor weather. 

This provision is contained in a directive issued by the Ministry of Finance in 1992, which states that “absence days caused by adverse weather are only regarded as paid absence if all public transport is suspended due to weather conditions”.

These rules apply to staff in the public sector.

Separate rules for local councils

According to Starvsmannafelagið (The Salaried Staff Union), there are no fixed rules in this respect for municipal staff, and it is up to each local council to decide whether to pay staff who stay home due to poor weather.

The Salaried Staff Union has called on the Municipal Employers’ Union to standardise these rules for all local council, but the reply was that this decision should remain with each local council.

Translated by prosa.fo