Siestas will now become a compulsory part of the Irish workday as the heatwave continues to keep temperatures at record levels.
From tomorrow onwards, employers will be legally required to let their employees take a 2 hour nap during the afternoon to come in line with European Heath and Safety Practices.
The suggested time for the nap is from 2-4pm and cannot be taken from an employees lunch hour either.
It’s The Law
The new siesta has already been written into The Employment Equality Acts and Organisation of Working Time Act and will take effect from tomorrow.
Employees cannot be forced to work later into the evening after their nap, as this would break current working time directives set out in the Organisation of Working Time Act. Employees are legally allowed to nap after their lunch in the afternoon and still leave the office no later than 5:30.
Employees are advised to inform their employers of the new changes to the law, as failure of an organisation to comply, will result in fines of up to €10,000 per employee that is refused their siesta.
