UK retailer Sainsbury’s has told its staff that if the poor weather stops employees getting into work that they will have to make up the time or take it as unpaid leave.

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The news comes as temperatures plummeted as low as -22.3C (-8.1F) overnight (7 January).


Supermarkets across the UK, however, are remaining adamant that shelves will remain stocked, despite experiencing difficulties with deliveries in the country’s cold weather.


A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said that despite the “dreadful” weather conditions, the majority of its staff had been able to get into work over the last few days.


“They made a huge effort to do so and have shown enormous commitment to serving the customers who rely on them.”

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However, the retailer said that a number of staff had been unable to get into work because of the adverse conditions or because they had to stay at home to look after children.


A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: “As a flexible employer, we are offering them a number of alternatives – they can work in other Sainsbury’s stores that are nearer or more convenient for them to get to, they can make up the time at a later date, take the time off as part of their holiday allocation or alternatively as a day of unpaid leave.”


The retailer earlier today said that a few deliveries had been slightly delayed in the worst affected areas, but they had all reached stores and shelves have been stocked with soup, bread, stews, ready meals and “all the other things” that customers have wanted to buy during the freeze.