Understand public holiday entitlements for full and part-time staff in Ireland. HR Buddy is your trusted HR partner. Contact our team for business HR advice.
A probationary period is a requirement in employment contracts that allows Employers to review new Employees’ suitability throughout the early stages of their employment.
The situation regarding overtime should be set out in the employment contract but, generally, an employee being requested to work overtime and refusing may be guilty of misconduct by virtue of refusing a reasonable request of the employer.
Is the employer obliged to pay the employee?
In general, there is no statutory entitlement for an employee to be paid if they cannot attend work because of extreme weather. Any more beneficial arrangement is a matter for agreement between the employer and the employee.
Employers are encouraged to take a long-term view of the working relationship, recognising that demonstrating concern for the welfare of employees and treating employees fairly translates into a better working environment to the benefit of both the staff and the employer.
Many businesses may have to look at finding for the cost of this somewhere else such as scrapping or cutting back on employee rewards, bonuses or benefits. Indeed, this is already happening in some larger organisations as a way of protection heading into the predicted slowdown or recession.
Employees with long COVID may have a disability, so employers should consider what adjustments to duties, working from home or working hours could help them return to working or the workplace.
Absence during extreme weather events
When an employee cannot attend work because of extreme weather events, is the employer obliged to pay the employee?
In general, there is no statutory entitlement for an employee to be paid if they cannot attend work because of extreme weather. Any more beneficial arrangement is a matter for agreement between the employer and the employee.
However, from an employer’s perspective it is important to remember that an employer can be liable for the conduct of its employees at the party, even when it takes place somewhere other than in the workplace.
There is common mistakes and mishaps that can happen and leave an employer liable. Very often workplaces through caution to the wind with these events but they should have planned and considered because whilst most workplace Christmas parties end up being great fun events, some things can go wrong and when they do they can go badly wrong. So, employers need to plan properly.