Swindon is set to experience extreme cold weather with snow expected over the next few days, leaving some people unsure about making the journey to work.

Employers in the UK have no legal obligation to pay their employees if they are unable to make it into work, according to the Advisory conciliation and Arbitration service but they have a legal duty to ensure their health and safety.

According to Andy Newman, the branch secretary at GMB Swindon and Wiltshire, workers need to take reasonable care and not put themselves in danger.

He said: “If people cannot get to work then they must inform their employer as soon as possible and if the employer asks people not to come in due to the snow, then the employer has to give them advance notice, if not they should be paid.

“In case of very low temperatures then the employer should provide suitable warm clothing.”

Some employers have made the safety of their workforce their top priority. Emma Carter, sales and marketing director at Excalibur said: “For us, with workers based in our HQ in Swindon and on remote customer location, our partners safety is our number one concern.

“So, we have built plans which enable us to use technology to maintain the high level of service our customers receive without compromising our team’s safety.

“We commit to let them know no later than 8am if the office will be open or closed.”