Don't Dock Pay of Stranded Workers

20 Apr 2010

Congress is calling on employers to be sympathetic to the plight of employees who have been unable to travel and are missing from work as a result.

Commenting on the issue, Congress Legislation Officer Esther Lynch said: "Docking wages is a harsh reaction and it will put even more pressure on workers who may have incurred significant and unexpected costs as try to find alternative ways to get home.

"Congress is also urging employers not to penalise people by putting pressure on them to use up what is left of their annual leave. We saw this happening earlier in the year, when workers absent due to the extreme weather were put under pressure to use up their annual leave.

"Employees away on business are entitled to be paid as normal," Ms Lynch said.

"Employers can request that the employee continue to work during the period they are stranded, as it is likely they will have access to facilities to do this - but the employer must meet the cost."

Ms Lynch said that employers would not be able to justify sacking workers who are stranded, even if they are unable to return to Ireland for a matter of weeks. She advised employees to contact their employer as soon as feasible and if they had any concerns to make immediate contact with their union.