Human Resources Division

Olympic/Paralympic Games: Travel Disruption Guidance

It is the responsibility of employees to make every effort to attend work on time, in accordance with their contract of employment. This includes adapting their means of travel if necessary, or using a combination of travel options. However, the University recognises that some employees may face difficulties getting to work if there are travel disruptions due to the Olympic/Paralympic Games, particularly those living close to Olympic sports venues.

In the event of travel disruption arising from the Olympic/Paralympic Games, employees should take all reasonable steps to report their expected late arrival to their manager as soon as possible. This should be in line with the particular department's normal arrangements for reporting sickness or other unanticipated absence and will apply for each day that the employee is late. Please note that failure to comply with reporting arrangements may amount to unauthorised absence and could therefore be unpaid.

If an employee has made all reasonable efforts to attend work on time and arrives late due to travel disruptions as a result of the Olympic/Paralympics, upon agreement with their line manager, and subject to operational needs, the manager may agree one of the following options to account for time lost:

  1. Working from home (if practicable).
  2. Making up the time/hours lost (usually within one month).
  3. Taking a day's/half day's annual leave.
  4. Taking unpaid leave.
  5. Or apply a combination of the above options.

If the employee has made reasonable efforts to attend work on time and arrives late they will not be expected to make the time up if the lateness in total is no more than half the employee's normal working day, having regard to the severity of the travel disruption and the personal circumstances of individual employee. If the total time lost amounts to more than half the time of the employee's normal working day the other provisions outlined above should apply.

Please contact your HR School team for further advice or guidance.