Can I miss work if it snows heavily in Ireland, what is the lowest comfortable working temperature – everything you need to know as ‘Beast from the East’ arrives
We all dream of taking a snow day when wintry conditions bite – but what are the laws around it?
IRELAND has suffered some truly spiteful conditions this winter, with snow and storms buffeting the nation - and it's getting worse as the latest Siberian blast hits us.
But what happens if the weather means you just can't make it to the office or school?
The ‘Beast from the East’ – now being called Storm Emma – will see air and ground temperatures up to 10C below normal for this time of year.
And the National Emergency Coordination Group have cautioned that “this weather is going to impact everybody across the country".
Can I take the day off work if it snows?
Be sure to check your office handbook or your contract to know your rights before letting your boss know you can’t make it in due to the snow.
It is possible for your boss to make you take unpaid leave or a holiday day, even if you genuinely can’t make it in.
However, a reasonable manager should be more flexible, particularly if you have given them plenty of notice and made every effort to get there.
It's likely they will ask you to work from home if you are able to do so.
What is the minimum comfortable working temperature in Ireland?
Under Section 7 of the new General Application Regulations 2007, Irish workplaces should have a minimum temperature of 17.5C.
The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland's website reads: "There is no maximum temperature stated under the regulations but as a guideline a minimum comfortable working temperature for indoor sedentary workers is 17.5C."
The Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 also says employers have a general duty to ensure the safety of staff.
It states they must “take reasonable care to protect his or her safety, health and welfare and the safety, health and welfare of any other person who may be affected by the employee’s acts or omissions at work”.
So if your office is dropping below those temperatures, you have a case for working from home.
ARMABREADON Storm Emma sees Irish shoppers panic-buy as supermarket shelves empty after Met Eireann issue three ‘Beast from the East’ weather warnings
However, it is ultimately down to your employer.
In addition, it is the employers' responsibility to ensure that the workplace has additional heating if the temperatures do get too cold.
Advice given to employers also includes considering the possibility of flexible working hours or rotas to help reduce the effects of a cold snap.
Or you could of course always just put another jumper on and get on with it.
What advice has been issued to Irish businesses ahead of Storm Emma?
Employers and businesses around the country are being told to prepare for the possibility of a red weather warning.
Chief Executive of ISME, Neil McDonnell said: "As employers have a duty of care for all employees under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act, a key consideration needs to be whether, in the circumstances, it is safe to ask employees to travel to work, or to undertake their work."
"Where your employment contracts allow for a period of 'lay off', you may want to put employees on notice that this clause could be invoked at short notice later on in the week."
Speaking at the National Emergency Coordination Group, the independent representative of small and medium enterprises spokesman added: "Flexibility should be allowed for employees, especially those who have some distance to travel.
"Where employees are present in the workplace, care should be taken to remain vigilant for any worsening conditions and cancelled/amended travel services throughout the day.
"Consideration should also be given to how long it will take somebody to commute home safely."
If my office is closed due to the snow, do I have to take a holiday day?
When conditions are so bad that your office is forced to shut, then no you don’t.
If you aren’t able to work from home, your company can’t dock your pay or make you book a holiday day.
Employers normally have to give you at least two days' notice before they are allowed to make you take a day's holiday.
MOST READ IN NEWS
What should I do if my children's school has closed due to the snow and I have to miss work to look after them?
You are able to take time off work in order to look after your children if the school is closed or your childcare arrangements have fallen through.
You may have to take this as unpaid leave.
However, you should be sure to give your employer as much notice as possible.