Typhoon Season 2013

[dengxi]

Yes, but it is still ultimately the company's own decision that sets up the policy. For smaller business of HK, one legal claim could bankrupt them. As for the large office companies, once again it is their decision to make, whether based on risk of losing its image, care for its workers, too lazy to review typhoon condition work policies, thats their own issue, not HKO, not HK Gov.

Agreed, but the culture is that a T8 is a free bank holiday - the regulation being the way it is encourages this. As it is not many companies will want to force people to come in while you've got other companies that don't. It needs to be systematic change if it's going to happen.

Do employees at e.g. 7-11 in MTRs get additional pay on T8 days?

Oh and just got an email from Geo - seems the Geo staff are still hard at work, thank goodness...

[Claire ex-ax]

"bank holiday"? Do we get to guess how long you've been here?

[Watercooler]

dengxi

Even if it doesn't seem that windy in built up areas, it can still be gusty. A window blew out of a modern building near my flat recently, and that was only in a T3.

Never mind, quite a number of folks here seem to think that just because the particular spot they are at is fine and calm means the whole of Hong Kong is like that. Typical geoexpat mentality .

As for those who are unhappy with the typhoon warning system, tough luck. Accept it and deal with it. Life ain't perfect. You will read the occasional cranky letter in the SCMP about an unnecessary T8 by some pompous expat, and the HKO will give nothing but a big middle finger to them (figuratively speaking of course). And as always, if you don't like it...you know where the airport is...although your flight might be delayed due to weather...gasp...what is the world coming to?

[ohmmmm]

Who is happy to have a day off and relaxing? Is that possible in Hong Kong? LOL

[Watercooler]

Who is happy to have a day off and relaxing? Is that possible in Hong Kong? LOL

I bet quite a few here are, although they will certainly pretend otherwise....

[Dreadnought]

Oh no, not another day off. I miss my office.

[braddles]

I think the question we all want the answer to is... Are the pubs gonna be open?

[usehername]

Stormies do free shots in a T8.

[ByeByeEngland]

Ha Ha - I'm loving this debate so I will pour oil on it as well. I am living somewhat exposed and not benefiting from the protection of downtown highrise so it's been nicely windy here periodically over the last few hours. By UK standards this is nothing more than a very gusty October day. There'd be no thought of a day off apart from the usual commuting delays caused by overhead power cable failures (yes I was north of the Thames !). What does make me laugh is how the T8s are embraced by locals and expats alike given the already generous public holidays here in HK. Given that this is only going to move further away from us I can't understand the mentality of operating it beyond lunchtime. Still I'm safely dialled in and been working hard since 8am so I'm not unduly bothered. Same as any other day apart from the 50 minute commute as far as I'm concerned.

Having said that I think the problem here is twofold. 1) the unpredicability here, both in rain and wind and the history of Typhoon death and injury 2) the ambulance chasing influence of the bloody americans who would sue for billons if the full stop was in the wrong place in a. sentence. Some poor sod in the observatory is probably making conservative decisions.

I'm with the grin and bear it and get into work brigade, but I've had 25 years of UK commuting in all weather conditions behind me.

Edit - I just realised I even have a US influence in my posting. Downtown FFS !!!!!!!!

[Watercooler]

Ha Ha - I'm loving this debate so I will pour oil on it as well. I am living somewhat exposed and not benefiting from the protection of downtown highrise so it's been nicely windy here periodically over the last few hours. By UK standards this is nothing more than a very gusty October day. There'd be no thought of a day off apart from the usual commuting delays caused by overhead power cable failures (yes I was north of the Thames !). What does make me laugh is how the T8s are embraced by locals and expats alike given the already generous public holidays here in HK. Given that this is only going to move further away from us I can't understand the mentality of operating it beyond lunchtime. Still I'm safely dialled in and been working hard since 8am so I'm not unduly bothered. Same as any other day apart from the 50 minute commute as far as I'm concerned.

Having said that I think the problem here is twofold. 1) the unpredicability here, both in rain and wind and the history of Typhoon death and injury 2) the ambulance chasing influence of the bloody americans who would sue for billons if the full stop was in the wrong place in a. sentence. Some poor sod in the observatory is probably making conservative decisions.

I'm with the grin and bear it and get into work brigade, but I've had 25 years of UK commuting in all weather conditions behind me.

Edit - I just realised I even have a US influence in my posting. Downtown FFS !!!!!!!!

And how many T8s have you experienced? As usual, some experienced one and think it's nothing. Oh and in case you insist your employees come to work, do realize you (or your company) will be liable for any injuries they sustain on the way to work (or at work). Not possible? Well...sure....

In case you haven't realize, this ain't UK, if you don't like it, you can turn tail and head back to good ol' England.