Snow could have impact on work day

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Tuesday's snow could throw a wrench into the start of Wednesday’s work day.

24-Hour News 8 wondered how area businesses handle the threat of severe weather.

What do they tell employees?

Felicia Shelby works at an assisted living facility in Indianapolis. She says her employer expects her to turn up whatever weather comes. The seniors who live at the health care facility depend on employees being there.  Shelby says she understands that demand and plans accordingly anytime severe weather hits.

“I like to leave home early, so I can take my time, stop to get gas, anything can happen so I always try to prepare ahead of time,” said Shelby.

Her friend, who works for a not-for profit organization, doesn’t have the same work requirements. Pam Davis says if the weather is bad, and the roads are covered with snow, she usually gets a call from work.

“So they say Miss Davis, if it's bad, don't come. Make up your hours the next day” said Davis.

The 1,200 plus employees who work at Angie's List have far more workplace flexibility. They can arrive late, or in some cases, work from home. While it hasn't happened for years, the offices could close for the day if the weather is severe.

“If we do that we have a service where every employee will get a call in the morning to say the office is closed.  At that point they can decide if they need to work from home or not” said Cheryl Reed, communications director at Angie’s List.

The company has a call center that operates six days a week.

Angie’s List is committed to ensuring the phone lines stay open even when snow is piling up outside.

We checked with Eli Lilly to see how the pharmaceutical company handles big weather events. The corporation has a workplace flexibility policy. The policy doesn’t specifically address inclement weather. 

However, it enables qualifying employees to slide their work schedules or even work from home whenever necessary.