Page 18 - EQA Employee Handbook

2.8.14 Work Interruption by Adverse Weather and Red Weather Alerts
In developing this policy, account was taken of the ‘Be Winter Ready’ booklet produced by the Office
of Emergency Planning and developed in association with other organisations including the
Department of Education & Skills, the RSA, An Garda Siochána, the Health & Safety Authority, and Met
Éireann.
RED Weather Warnings are defined as heavy snow or ice accumulations, flooding, hurricane or
tornado damage that can serious impact on employees and effects the normal operations of the
Company.
Most adverse weather warning are issued in advance, and adequate time is provided for all employees
to take preventative and corrective measure.

The company will keep itself up to date, with local and national weather forecasters and will advise all
its staff by way of email, text or phone as to its plans regarding what action and procedures must be
taken.

EQA understands that in times of inclement weather, employees may be left in a position where they
are unable to attend for work or return home from work, due to access or transport difficulties and
other compelling circumstances. It is the organisation’s policy to remain open for business during
times of inclement weather or similar circumstances, and employees are expected to make every
reasonable effort to attend for work.

Employees will not be paid for days off during periods of Red Weather Alerts, should such a scenario
occur and may take either annual leave or unpaid leave.

In the event that an employee is unable to attend for work, he or she must notify his or her manager
at least one hour before.

If a Red Weather Alert is issued during the course of a normal working day, Management reserve the
right to assess the hazard and risks before issuing an instruction. In this instance you will be paid for
the hours worked up to the Management deciding to close the business premises or for the entire day
if the decision is made after 3pm.

The 3 different type of warning all depicted by colour and actions.

Yellow: Be aware. Severely bad weather is possible over the coming days

Amber: Be prepared. There is an increased likelihood of severely or extremely bad weather

Red: Take action. Extremely bad weather is expected.
Employees shall not decide to take any action including, refusing to attend work, refusing to perform
their duties while at work, leave without permission, refuse to follow instruction that serves to secure
their safety, that of follow colleagues or company property.

2.9 RETIREMENT
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Normal retirement occurs on your 65 birthday. It is our policy for employees to retire at the end of
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the month in which their 65 birthday falls. Changes to the age at which you are eligible for the state
pension can be discussed should such changes be introduced.
In certain circumstances consideration may be given to continued employment being offered to you
and/or fresh employment offered after retirement. Such offers will be totally at the discretion of the
Chief Executive.

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