Extreme weather often forces employers to weigh business needs against employee safety, a balance that can quickly become contentious when travel conditions turn dangerous. That tension has come into sharp focus after a Reddit post described how restaurant management allegedly pressured workers to report to duty during an ongoing blizzard, even suggesting that employees walk to work despite hazardous conditions. The account has since sparked widespread discussion online about workplace empathy, realistic expectations, and responsibility during severe weather events.
According to the post, road conditions were particularly dangerous for people living on back roads or outside town. Many residents struggled to leave their homes, and daily commuting became risky due to snow, ice, and low visibility.
As a result, several restaurant employees were unable to come in for their shifts. Others arrived late or had to leave early to avoid driving when temperatures dropped further. The manager who shared the post said they personally missed two days of work and were only able to return on other days because a coworker with a large truck offered transportation.
The manager added that they understood why staff members were staying home and felt it was a reasonable response to the conditions.
When challenged, the general manager reportedly admitted that he had never had to walk to work himself. The post also claimed that a supervisor argued that if she could make it to work, others had no valid excuse. The manager pointed out that the supervisor lives along a major highway that had been salted and cleared and drives a vehicle suited for winter conditions.
The manager also questioned the urgency of forcing staff to come in, noting that business had dropped sharply due to the weather. On one day, the restaurant reportedly made around $2,000, far below its usual daily earnings of $8,000 to $10,000. Employees who did manage to arrive spent much of their shifts waiting due to the lack of customers.
From the manager’s perspective, employees prioritising safety did not significantly impact the business, especially given the already low footfall.
Several commenters with firsthand experience of walking long distances for work described why doing so during severe winter weather is unsafe. They highlighted risks such as icy, unplowed streets, strong winds, extreme cold, and the possibility of injury from slipping or exposure. Others warned that walking alongside traffic in such conditions could be life-threatening.
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Winter Storms Leave Roads Unsafe
The Reddit user, who said they manage a restaurant in the US, explained that their area had been hit by repeated winter storms over the course of a week. An earlier storm dumped heavy snow and ice that had not fully melted or been cleared from local roads and parking lots. Before conditions improved, another blizzard struck, making travel even more difficult.According to the post, road conditions were particularly dangerous for people living on back roads or outside town. Many residents struggled to leave their homes, and daily commuting became risky due to snow, ice, and low visibility.
As a result, several restaurant employees were unable to come in for their shifts. Others arrived late or had to leave early to avoid driving when temperatures dropped further. The manager who shared the post said they personally missed two days of work and were only able to return on other days because a coworker with a large truck offered transportation.
The manager added that they understood why staff members were staying home and felt it was a reasonable response to the conditions.
Management Rejects Absences
Despite the circumstances, upper management reportedly viewed absences and delays as unacceptable. During the blizzard, the general manager allegedly told one employee that walking to work was not an issue after she explained her car was stuck. The employee lives around three miles away.When challenged, the general manager reportedly admitted that he had never had to walk to work himself. The post also claimed that a supervisor argued that if she could make it to work, others had no valid excuse. The manager pointed out that the supervisor lives along a major highway that had been salted and cleared and drives a vehicle suited for winter conditions.
The manager also questioned the urgency of forcing staff to come in, noting that business had dropped sharply due to the weather. On one day, the restaurant reportedly made around $2,000, far below its usual daily earnings of $8,000 to $10,000. Employees who did manage to arrive spent much of their shifts waiting due to the lack of customers.
From the manager’s perspective, employees prioritising safety did not significantly impact the business, especially given the already low footfall.
Reddit Users React Strongly
The post drew strong reactions from Reddit users. Some said they would quit immediately if told to walk to work in blizzard conditions, while others noted that finding another restaurant job is not always easy in rural or remote areas.Several commenters with firsthand experience of walking long distances for work described why doing so during severe winter weather is unsafe. They highlighted risks such as icy, unplowed streets, strong winds, extreme cold, and the possibility of injury from slipping or exposure. Others warned that walking alongside traffic in such conditions could be life-threatening.
