EMPLOYERS are being advised to listen and to be fair when dealing with staff who have missed work as a result of the travel delays caused by the volcanic ash cloud.

Andy Castle (pictured), of Castle Defence, a business that supports local employees who have been unfairly dismissed or badly treated by their employer, said coping with absence as a result of volcanic eruption was an unprecedented situation for employer and employee alike, and one not completely handled by local employment law.

Guernsey has encountered a host of delays and problems over the past two weeks with islanders unable to return to the island as they had planned due to airport closures and other modes of transport being fully booked.

‘The overriding principles for both employer and employee are to behave reasonably and with flexibility,’ said Mr Castle.

Christian Hay, partner and head of dispute resolution at Collas Day, said coming to a solution with staff ultimately came down to the employment contract and especially whether any company policies or procedures were incorporated within that contract.

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