Working Conditions

nowuckenfurries

I've already checked www.oasis.gov.ie regarding this & was unable to find anything helpful So I'm wondering if someone can answer my questions or point me in the right direction?

Someone I know is currently working in a company in North Co. Dublin for approx 7 years & they have been informed only verbally for the past 4-5 months that their function is being moved into their customers facility in Co. Kildare, but still remaining employed by their current employer.

Today they went to see their new working enviroment & it will be a new desk added specifically for them into an already overcrowded stuffy / scruffy portacabin in a warehouse

Is there some government regulation regarding the minimum standard of the working enviroment e.g. personal work space, access distance to toilets, fresh air, adequete lighting etc... (Or maximum number of people that can be put into temporary structures)

Also would this person be entitled to a "relocation" deal from their employer or could they insist that this person moves without compensation?

Another question would be what rights are this person entitled to should they decide not to move to Co Kildare, does their employer have the right to dismiss them & would this be classified as Unfair or Constructive Dismissal??

Any information would be of great assistance.

Thanks

Wishbone Ash

You might get some useful information under "Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005"

http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/acts/2005/a1005.pdf

Usually the employer has to do what is "reasonable practicable". This is rather vague. Many offices will be stuffy in this warm spell. It may not be deemed "reasonably practicable" for an employer to install air conditioning for use during a few hot weeks. On the other hand , they would be obliged to provide adequate heating where possible when required. They would also have to provide adequate toilet facilities and lighting (where applicable). I'm not sure about space?

Relocation expenses are paid by many employers to keep staff on their side. AFAIK they are not obliged to do so unless your original cantract specifies your place of employment and you are unwilling to move voluntarily. You could have a case for constructive dismissal if your employer expected you to move a great distance but did not offer any financial or other incentives (i.e. deliberately making the move so difficult that staff would feel that they had no option but to leave.

BC

You could try phoning these guys:

http://www.hsa.ie/publisher/index.jsp?&1nID=93&pID=102&nID=178