Employees in Spain have legal right to stay home during severe weather alerts
The Ministry of Labour reminds employees throughout Spain that they can claim paid leave during orange and red storm warnings
As Storm Leonardo continues to batter Spain with intense rainfall, the Ministry of Labour and Social Economy has reminded workers that they have legal protections when extreme weather makes going to work dangerous.
When the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) issues orange or red weather warnings, regulations allow for reduced or modified working hours and paid leave if travelling to work poses a risk. It's a timely reminder given that Storm Leonardo is affecting much of the country, with Andalucía among the hardest-hit regions where several districts are on maximum alert due to persistent rainfall and flooding risks.
The department headed by Yolanda Díaz is insisting that protecting lives must come before any employment considerations.
Is it mandatory to go to work during Storm Leonardo?
Royal Decree-Law 4/2023 makes it clear that when severe weather alerts are activated, companies must review working conditions if standard safety measures aren't enough. They're required to offer adjustments to schedules, reduced hours or, when absolutely necessary, justified absences without loss of pay.
The law also provides for up to four days of paid leave in situations where it's impossible to travel safely to work. The idea is to prevent employees having to take unnecessary risks just to fulfil their work obligations, particularly when roads are closed, transport is disrupted or weather conditions are extreme.
Minister Yolanda Díaz already emphasised this legal framework after the torrential October 2024 rains during the DANA storm in Valencia. She publicly confirmed that in red alert situations, workers are allowed to stay home and stressed that companies are responsible for employee safety during working hours.
The regulations also protect workers from potential retaliation. Absences due to weather-related risks can't be used as grounds for disciplinary action, reprimands or any negative impact on employment.
The regional authorities in Andalucía have activated level 2 of the Flood Emergency Plan, bringing exceptional measures including suspended in-person classes at numerous schools, temporary closure of universities like the University of Cádiz and suspension of activities at day centres for the elderly and vulnerable.
The situation has forced preventive evacuations in municipalities like Ronda and Jimena de la Frontera, along with rescue operations due to river flooding in Cádiz province and numerous road closures on both secondary and main routes.
See what the weather has in store for us this weekend: Spain Weather Watch and Andalucía Weather Watch
Image: Aemet
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