Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is now on: Hong Kong employers should observe work arrangements under T8

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The HKSAR Government expects the extreme conditions to continue at least until noon.

The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal, as of 11.05pm on 7 September 2023. The trough of low pressure associated with remnants of Haikui has brought torrential rain to the coast of Guangdong.

Because of seriously-flooded roads and inclement weather conditions, members of the public are advised to take shelter in a safe place and stay there, and should not attempt to travel until the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is no longer in force and traffic conditions have improved.

The HKSAR Government expects the extreme conditions to continue at least until noon. It has appealled to employers to observe work arrangements under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8, give due consideration to the safety of employees and the feasibility of travelling from home to place of work, and adopt a sympathetic and flexible work arrangement.

A spokesperson of the Labour Department (LD) stated that, apart from essential staff who have an agreement with their employers to be on duty at workplaces when the "extreme conditions" exist, employees are advised to stay at the place they are currently in or in a safe place, instead of heading for work.

Employers and employees should stay alert to further government announcements.

"Once the 'extreme conditions' cease to exist, employees should follow the work arrangements they have previously agreed on with the employers and resume work or work from home (if applicable). With due consideration to road and traffic conditions and other factors, employers should adopt a sympathetic and flexible approach. Prime consideration should be given to employees' safety," said the spokesperson.

"For employees who are not able to report for duty or resume work on time due to 'extreme conditions', employers should not withhold their wages, good attendance bonuses or allowances without reasons, and should not penalise or dismiss the employee concerned rashly," the spokesman stressed.

Also, employers should not deduct annual leave, statutory holidays or rest days to which employees are entitled under the Employment Ordinance to compensate for the loss of working hours resulting from employees' failure to report for duty when the "extreme conditions" exist.

The Government will continue to assess the latest weather situation, roads and public transport services, and announce the end to the extreme conditions as appropriate.

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