The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is warning that the cost of a single day of employee absenteeism because of the freezing winter conditions could be at least £230 million.

The Met Office has confirmed that minimum temperatures have dropped to their lowest for 15 years, with snow expected to be between 15 and 25cm deep in places.

The calculation was made using information including the daily GDP figure, anticipated vehicle breakdown levels from the AA, average salaries and official data reflecting an expected fall in retail sales.

"Employees make businesses grow and losing key staff because of the weather, even for just a day, is very damaging, particularly in the current economic climate," said the FPB's Research Manager, Tom Parry. "It is important that employers put in place contingency plans for these occasions and that these plans comply with employment law.

"For example, home working might be seen as a solution -- obviously not for manufacturers and retailers -- but business owners should be aware that it is their responsibility to ensure that employees' houses meet health and safety standards."

Employee absenteeism represents a huge cost for many small businesses. According to the FPB's recent report on the cost of compliance, small business employers in the UK spend a total of £391 million per year on absence control and management -- more than on any other aspect of employment law.

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