EAST Lothian Council workers who live in the countryside are being advised to set aside their holidays to cover absences from work or face losing pay if another Beast from the East hits.
A revised staffing policy for severe weather absences warns East Lothian Council will continue to dock the pay of workers who cannot get to work if storms hit.
However the council’s chief executive Angela Leitch told councillors that if staff could not fulfill their contract the council “could not pay them”.
While other local authorities, such as City of Edinburgh Council, took to social media to assure staff they would be paid if they were unable to work during the Wednesday and Thursday of the red weather warnings last March, East Lothian Council repeated its advice that workers should report to work if it was “safe to do so”, or attend the nearest council office or suitable premises, or work from home or other suitable locations.
Following a review of its actions, wages were reinstated for those who missed work during red weather warnings and the policy was reviewed.
However the revised policy, which was approved by Cabinet this week, showed little change except adding in advice for rural workers to set aside holidays.
Councillor WIllie Innes, council leader, said he expected that should another Beast from the East hit the county, councillors would once again step in to ensure wages were not docked.
The cabinet approved the new policy.