Page 21 - Bretland Group Employee Handbook Dec 2019 v.1

− Verifying that an employee is fit for work and does not pose a risk to themselves, other staff
or client personnel.
− Establishing the probability of a work-related medical problem recurring.

2.13 WORK INTERRUPTION BY ADVERSE WEATHER AND RED WEATHER ALERTS
There is no legal provision in Ireland that deals with employee rights to pay for days missed at work
due to adverse weather conditions. Strictly speaking, if a business remains open that week and
employees cannot travel to work or have to remain at home, there is no obligation on employers to
pay employees for days missed at work.

If the business remains open but employees are unable to get to work, options for employees include;

• remote working (office and administration staff only once agreed with a Senior Manager)
• taking days from annual leave, or
• being paid for the day and making up for it at a later date.

These options will be assessed by the Directors at the time of a Red Weather Alert and any decisions
made regarding pay/absence will be solely at their discretion.
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.

If a Red Weather Alert is issued during the course of a normal working day, Senior 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 Senior 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.

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