SPOTLIGHT: Winter storm impacts much of U.S. -- what can employers do to keep workers safe and reduce risks?
January 2026
January 2026 With a winter storm impacting much of U.S., what can employers do to keep workers safe and reduce risks?
Brought to you by the
A significant winter storm is causing disruptions and delays across much of the central, southern and eastern United States.
According to forecasters, the storm stretched "2,000 miles from New Mexico to Maine."
Some regions began to see the storm's impact -- including "heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain" -- on Saturday.
200 million people were "in the path of the storm."
As of January 28, the storm had already resulted in over 11,000 flight cancellations.
Electricity outages approached 1,000,000, with the South impacted in particular. As of January 28, "nearly 200,000" customers in Nashville were without power, with estimates that restoration could take "days or longer."
Parts of the Northeast declared snow emergencies, with estimates of "about 2 feet of snow."
Some state leaders asked private employers to allow remote work while the storm passes:
In Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey declared that Monday, January 26 would be a "remote-work day for non-essential state employees." Governor Healey asked private employers to "do the same."
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency. Governor Hochul also "authorized all state employees to work remotely from home on Monday." New York City schools opted for remote learning in lieu of a snow day.
Read more via WCVB, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal
Cold, snowy weather may make it "difficult for staff to travel to work" or prompt employers to shut down operations entirely. Experts say employers "may be obligated to pay certain employees" regardless.
If non-exempt employees are "unable to work at all due to inclement weather," employers "are not required to pay them under federal law for time not worked." Experts say that employers should still "familiarize themselves with state and local laws in the areas where they operate, which may have stricter requirements than at the federal level."
Employees that are exempt from overtime "typically must be paid their full salary for any week in which they perform work." There may be exceptions.
There is no federal law that mandates an employer "take specific precautions due to cold weather." That said, employers "do have a legal obligation to maintain a workplace free from hazards," according to legal experts.
Ahead of inclement weather, experts recommend employers "conduct a hazard assessment to determine what steps will protect their staff from freezing temperatures."
Employers should consider the potential for "tangential issues" like "risks created by employees wearing additional clothing." (The "thick winter gloves" that keep a worker's hands warm "could get caught in a machine," for example.)
Experts say "clear inclement weather policies" will help both to "reduce workflow disruption and ensure wage and hour compliance."
All employers with brick-and-mortar facilities should consider establishing inclement weather policies, especially if there is any requirement to work in the office. Creating inclement weather policies helps prevent confusion among employees and can potentially reduce disruption to business operations."
Experts say being flexible with employees in extreme weather situations goes a long way.
Employers should be focused on safety, and not “who suffered the most to log on.”
Being a good employer this week costs very little, but earns a lot of goodwill."
A Massive Snowstorm Is Coming—Here’s How to Keep Your Employees Safe, via Inc.
As a ‘potentially historic’ winter storm approaches, how can HR prepare?, via HR Dive
Winter Weather Is Here: Safety and Pay Practices Businesses Should Have On The Forecast, via Fisher Phillips
Inclement Weather FAQs: Who Gets Pay for a Snow Day?, via Littler
Inclement Weather Policy Tips for When Storms Hit, via SHRM
Make Sure Managers Know What the Law Requires on Snow Days, via SHRM
