Euan McGrory: Customers are likely to think M&S are cold-hearted

The severe weather that has blasted the Capital has created disruption for us all.

Police stand guard after the discovery of a suspicious device in Princes St Gardens. Pic: Jon Savage

Over the last few days the Evening News have been full of stories of people going above and beyond the call of duty to help others. From NHS workers walking miles through the snow to get to their patients to acts of generosity like that of plumber Ali Speakman answering an SOS message as we report today, there have been countless examples of selfless acts by community-minded individuals. It has been uplifting to share these stories with you - and we have only been able to do that because some of our staff walked six and seven miles to get to our Orchard Brae offices to produce the paper.

But not everyone is capable of marching through the snow for miles - and nor should they be expected to do so without a very good reason.

The bad weather has taken its toll on businesses with the cost to firms across Scotland being estimated at up to £50 million.

But what is reasonable? Should a high street store like Marks and Spencer expect its staff to battle through blizzard conditions? Many of its customers are likely to feel its apparent hard line approach to staff is cold-hearted.