Maria stared at her phone as two messages arrived within minutes of each other. The first was from the city: “WEATHER ALERT: Heavy snow storm approaching. All non-essential travel discouraged after 6 PM.” The second was from her restaurant manager: “We’re staying open tonight. Need full staff. No exceptions.”
She looked out her apartment window at the parking lot already dusted white. Her shift started in two hours, and the drive to work meant navigating three steep hills that turned into ice rinks every winter. But missing work meant missing rent money. The choice felt impossible, yet thousands of workers across the region were facing the exact same dilemma.
As the heavy snow storm bears down tonight, a familiar pattern emerges. Officials urge everyone to stay safe at home while many businesses insist on normal operations, leaving workers caught in the middle with no good options.
When Safety Warnings Meet Economic Reality
The heavy snow storm begins in earnest around 7 PM, with meteorologists predicting 8-12 inches by morning. Emergency management officials have been clear: avoid all non-essential travel. Road crews are positioned and ready, but even they acknowledge that keeping up with this much snow will be nearly impossible.
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Yet drive past any major shopping center or restaurant row tonight, and you’ll see parking lots being plowed and “OPEN” signs glowing through the falling snow.
“We see this contradiction every time a major storm hits,” explains Dr. Sarah Chen, a workplace safety researcher at the University of Michigan. “Public health officials tell people to stay home, but the economic pressure to keep businesses running means many workers don’t really have that choice.”
The workers facing this impossible decision aren’t just in obvious “essential” jobs like healthcare or emergency services. They’re baristas, retail clerks, warehouse workers, restaurant servers, and call center employees. Many work for companies that pride themselves on “never closing” – a marketing message that sounds less appealing when you’re the one driving through a blizzard to make it happen.
Take Jake, a 34-year-old shift supervisor at a 24-hour diner. When the heavy snow storm warnings went out this afternoon, he got a text from corporate: “All locations remain open. Managers expected on-site.” Jake lives 25 miles away on rural roads that won’t see a plow truck until tomorrow morning. His options are sleeping in his car in the restaurant parking lot or attempting a dangerous drive home after his shift ends at 2 AM.
The Real Cost of Staying Open During Severe Weather
The decision to remain open during a heavy snow storm creates a cascading series of problems that extend far beyond individual businesses. Here’s what actually happens when the snow starts falling and the “we never close” mentality takes over:
- Workers take dangerous risks: Driving on unplowed roads with inadequate vehicles
- Emergency resources get stretched: More accidents mean first responders are pulled from other critical tasks
- Insurance complications: Workers injured commuting during travel advisories may face coverage disputes
- Economic inequality becomes visible: Higher-paid workers can afford to call out sick; service workers often cannot
- Family disruption: Parents scramble for emergency childcare when schools close but workplaces don’t
The numbers tell a stark story. During severe weather events, workplace-related traffic accidents increase by 23% according to the National Safety Council. Most of these accidents involve service industry workers commuting to jobs that could have been temporarily closed.
| Industry | % That Stay Open During Heavy Snow | Average Worker Commute Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food/Quick Service | 89% | 12.3 miles |
| Retail/Big Box Stores | 76% | 15.7 miles |
| Call Centers | 82% | 18.2 miles |
| Warehouses | 94% | 21.4 miles |
| Hospitals (non-emergency staff) | 67% | 13.9 miles |
“The irony is that most of these businesses will see almost no customers during a heavy snow storm,” notes labor economist Dr. Marcus Webb. “They’re asking workers to risk their safety to serve maybe a dozen people all night.”
What Workers Are Actually Doing Right Now
As the heavy snow storm intensifies tonight, workers across the region are making difficult calculations. Some are parking at hotels near their workplace. Others are carpooling with coworkers who have all-wheel-drive vehicles. Many are simply hoping their managers will come to their senses and close early.
But for every worker who finds a creative solution, there are others making truly dangerous choices. Lisa, a single mother who works at a 24-hour pharmacy, left her kids with a neighbor and started her commute two hours early. Her route includes a notorious hill where cars regularly slide backwards during snow storms.
“I can’t afford to lose this job,” she explains via text message while stopped at a red light. “But I also can’t afford to crash my car. There’s no good choice here.”
The disconnect becomes even more apparent when you consider that many of the executives making “stay open” decisions aren’t the ones driving through the heavy snow storm. Corporate headquarters are often located in different cities, sometimes with entirely different weather conditions.
“I’ve had managers call in sick during storms while demanding their hourly employees show up,” says workplace advocate Jennifer Rodriguez. “The risks and consequences aren’t distributed equally.”
Some workers are pushing back. A group of fast-food employees in Denver recently organized a “safety first” campaign, agreeing collectively to call out during extreme weather unless their employer provides safe transportation or temporary lodging. The movement is small but growing, as workers realize their safety shouldn’t be negotiable.
The heavy snow storm expected tonight will test these dynamics once again. Emergency rooms are preparing for an uptick in weather-related accidents. Tow truck drivers are positioning for a busy night of pullouts and crashes. And thousands of workers are looking out their windows, watching the snow fall, and making impossible choices between their safety and their survival.
FAQs
Can I legally refuse to go to work during a heavy snow storm?
In most cases, yes, but your employer can also discipline or fire you unless you have union protections or live in a state with specific weather-related worker safety laws.
What should I do if my boss demands I drive in dangerous conditions?
Document the demand in writing, consider contacting HR if available, and prioritize your safety. No job is worth risking your life.
Are employers required to pay me if they close due to weather?
Only if you’re salary or have specific contract provisions. Most hourly workers lose pay when businesses close for weather.
Can I collect unemployment if I quit due to unsafe working conditions?
Possibly, if you can prove the conditions were genuinely unsafe and you made reasonable efforts to address the situation with your employer first.
What industries are most likely to stay open during severe weather?
Food service, retail, warehousing, and call centers have the highest rates of staying open during heavy snow storms and other severe weather events.
How can I prepare for working during a snow storm?
Keep emergency supplies in your car, plan alternative routes, consider staying near work if possible, and always inform someone of your travel plans.