SNOW SICKNESS

A grim outlook is forecast for the estimated 160,000 people who couldn’t turn up for work during the freezing weather conditions of the past week, according to The Sunday Tribune.

Staff now face the prospect of losing annual leave for the days missed and many could be docked pay as the National Employment Rights Authority – the state body that polices workers’ rights – and IBEC warned employers were not obliged to pay workers during their absence.

“Where an employee cannot attend and cannot carry out his or her normal duties, the option of annual leave or unpaid time off should be presented,” IBEC advised.

The employers’ organisation also asked its members to be as flexible as possible on this issue.