Ford Quoted in Houston Chronicle Story Titled “Job Security When Disaster Hits”

Jackie Ford, a partner in the Vorys Houston office and a member of the labor and employment group, was quoted in a Houston Chronicle story titled “Job Security When Disaster Hits.” The story focused on workplace policies regarding work schedules during natural disasters such as flooding, tornadoes and hurricanes.

The story states:

“The Houston law office of Vorys, Sater was open Tuesday despite the massive rains that made many of the roadways in the area impassable.  Hourly paid employees who felt unsafe about coming in to work were told to stay home and will be paid as usual, said Jackie Ford, an employment lawyer who represents management clients.

‘We want to incentivize safety,’ she said.

And if the law firm opts to close in times of bad weather, it typically pays its hourly wage workers as usual.

‘We think it’s the right thing to do,’ she said.

Other companies have a philosophy that they pay employees only for the time that they work or let them use vacation or personal days, if available. Ford cautions her clients to consider how that will affect employee morale in the short and long term.

‘What message am I sending to my other employees?’ she said.”

To read the entire story, visit the Houston Chronicle website. (Subscription may be required).