@HImom Your SIL should look ASAP on possibly getting reservations on Amtrak. They usually are the only option on that route when buses aren’t running and flights are grounded.
Thanks–will make the suggestion. At the moment, I’m not sure the flights are grounded, so they may choose that option. Amtrak can get dicey when there is inclement weather and there can be prolonged delays.
My experience has been that usually airlines won’t cancel too far in advance and by the time you know, Amtrak is booked.
For Superstorm Sandy, the airlines allowed booking 24-48 hours prior to the storm without penalty, change fee or higher ticket prices, so I booked the change ASAP and was able to get out just before the storm hit. S begged me to go so I wouldn’t be stranded for an undetermined length of time and the meeting I attended was fine with folks having to leave to avoid the storm as well. The flight was very light in regular economy, so many passengers had entire rows to lay out and sleep.
DH works for a large, multi-national, high tech company, recently many members of his group were required to travel to the PNW, they all ended up at different hotels, because of weather the work site they were to meet at was closed. They ended up doing the meeting on line from their respective hotels. Serious waste of time and money!!
I’ve had to fly to two meetings in DC in 2015 and again 2016. This year, we did the meeting via webinar and saved a LOT in travel and time for everyone concerned. I believe that is the direction they plan to continue going, IF they continue to get funded. The folks participating every year were from all over the US, tho I had the distinction of the most time zones distant and furthest geographically.
My large company never pays us for snow days. We must use PTO, work from home or make up the time, depending on what your manager allows. Even when the state prohibits travel. My boss allows all three, but another manager in our dept never allows his direct reports to work from home so the either use PTO or make up the time. In my opinion if travel is prohibited a company should pay the employees for the time off. (Although I am sure in my dpt most would be checking in and doing some work anyway) If the roads are not closed but roads are bad, then I would allow the option of either working from home, or taking PTO. But, I think you need to be clear about your employees options and if you allow them to work from home, to trust that they are doing so.
I thought I’d let everyone know how it turned out. I got all the info for the “big deal” from my employees on Monday and stayed until 7:30 pm getting it ready for Tuesday. I texted them Monday at 5 pm and said I would text them by 7 am Tuesday as to whether or not the office was closed. One employee said they usually leave the house by 6:30 am so I agreed to text earlier. I checked the weather at 6 am – didn’t look good – so I told them to stay home and stay safe. I took the subway to work and am here now, so I’m able to handle anything that comes up.
Thanks everyone for their input. EmilyBee – we did consider the hotel idea – thanks.
You’re a good, caring boss, @Classof2015!
Good luck with the big deal, @Classof2015!
Aw, thanks HiMom!
Thanks for the good wishes, BB!
Employees really appreciate good bosses and it does increase their loyalty and keep relationships in the firm running nicely. 
Thanks for saying that HiMom – I believe that. An added bonus as it were.
DH didn’t even have to call in today. Governor banned driving on the roads as of 5 am for everyone except first responders and essential hospital personnel.
Anyone else driving…ticketed…and fined.
Ban will be lifted when the roads are clear.
If possible consider instuting a policy for working remotely when the office is closed. One thing that helps remote workers focus is to have some telephone meetings during the day and the circulation of work if possible. For example a morning conference call to discuss assignments and a plan for people to exchange work by a certain time with another conference call to follow after review. This gives more structure to a day.
One problem with working from home on bad snow days is that it can be difficult for parents with young children. They may be able to squeeze in some work but a full day’s output could be tricky if they have children to tend to at home.
I know that I and my family appreciate employer and employee loyalty and factor that in in deciding whether to switch or retain jobs. Money alone was never enough to get H to apply for promotions–we wanted him to work where the workers got along and worked as a team.
I think employers should pay employees for the snow days, but then the employee has to be available to the boss by phone and by computer. It’s not going to be a fully productive day, but sometimes the employee can use a block of time to read a trade manual, catch up on some reports, etc. If you know it is going to snow or rain, take some extra stuff home.
Even before the days of cell phones and computers, I used to take stuff home. We had a period when we were short a few workers on my level, and I was working 7 days a week. I’d go into the office on Saturdays, but refused to go in on Sundays. I’d take home a bunch of filing and code it how I wanted it filed. I took home my dictaphone (I told you it was the olden days) and dictated letters. I took home all the stuff that circulated through the office like trade sheets and brochures and checked off my name as having read them. I could get through a ton of paperwork because there were no distractions from the phone or meetings or people showing up at my door to ask a question.
And I’d watch TV while I was doing it.