How Is Salary Calculated During Typhoon Work Stoppages? Will Pay Be Deducted for Not Working?
TyphoonSays·防御问答 · Impact of life · 更新 at 2026-10-18
When a typhoon strikes, apart from preparing for wind and rain, the biggest concern for employees is whether their salary will be deducted during work stoppages. According to the "Interim Provisions on Payment of Wages" and local labor regulations, salary calculation during typhoons is not a "one-size-fits-all" approach; it depends on the reason for the stoppage, its duration, and administrative directives issued by local governments. Below, we outline core rights and response strategies to help you stay safe and understand how to protect your rights.
When Can You Legally "Stay Home to Shelter from the Wind"?
Whether work can be suspended mainly depends on the typhoon warning signals and emergency response levels issued by local governments. Although national meteorological standards classify typhoons into different grades, administrative work stoppage orders are usually linked to warning colors. Generally, when meteorological departments issue yellow, orange, or red typhoon warnings, local governments will activate corresponding school suspension and work stoppage mechanisms.
For example, many coastal cities stipulate that when an orange or red warning is issued, employers should arrange for employees to delay starting work, leave early, or stop working based on the situation. Please note that specific implementation standards vary by location; always refer to the latest announcements from local governments and emergency management departments. Do not absent yourself from work based solely on your subjective judgment of the wind and rain intensity, as this may be considered absenteeism.
How Is Salary Calculated During Work Stoppages?
During work stoppages caused by typhoons, wage payment follows the principle of "guaranteeing workers' basic livelihood," specifically divided into three scenarios:
- Government-mandated stoppage or employer-initiated stoppage: This falls under "work stoppage at the unit not caused by the worker." Within one wage payment cycle (usually one month), the employer must pay full wages as stipulated in the labor contract and may not arbitrarily deduct pay.
- Long-term stoppage (exceeding one wage payment cycle): If the typhoon causes long-term production halts (which is rare), and the stoppage exceeds one cycle, if employees provide normal labor, remuneration must not be lower than the local minimum wage standard; if no labor is provided, the enterprise must issue living allowances, with specific amounts referring to provincial and municipal regulations.
- Enterprise does not stop work, but employee is absent voluntarily: If the government has not issued a mandatory work stoppage order, and the enterprise has provided necessary safety guarantees and requires normal attendance, employees who refuse to go to work due to personal fear or other reasons may be treated as taking personal leave or being absent, and the enterprise has the right to deduct the corresponding daily salary according to its rules and regulations.
Special Positions and Rights Protection Advice
Essential service industries such as healthcare, power supply, and transportation must continue operating during typhoons. For employees required to report to duty, enterprises must provide safety protection and logistical support in addition to paying full wages. If an enterprise illegally forces employees in non-essential positions to take risks and report to work, resulting in accidents, it must bear legal liability.
To protect your rights, we recommend:
- Preserve Evidence: If you cannot reach work due to traffic disruptions, promptly take photos of waterlogging, suspension notices, etc., as evidence, and report to your supervisor.
- Check Company Policies: Some companies offer "paid bad weather leave" that is more favorable than statutory requirements; please prioritize internal company notifications.
- Assert Rights Rationally: If you encounter unjustified wage deductions, keep attendance records and payslips, and file a complaint with the local Labor Inspection Brigade or apply for arbitration.
Natural disasters are ruthless, but the law is compassionate. Only by mastering accurate information can you respond calmly. Real-time typhoon tracks can be queried at TyphoonSays (taifengshuo.com)
This article is original educational content from TyphoonSays. Please refer to the latest official announcements from local governments for policy standards.