Severe Storms Prompt School Closures and Justified Paid Leave for Parents

Severe weather conditions driven by the Charles depression have prompted the government to declare a state of alert, leading to the closure of schools and non-essential public services across the country. Internal Security Minister Luís Neves announced the measures and urged employers to show understanding toward workers with family responsibilities, emphasizing that families need to stay home to take care of their children during this exceptional day.

The emergency measures coincide with severe weather warnings issued by the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere. The southern coast of Madeira was placed under a red warning due to heavy and persistent rainfall, while orange wind warnings with gusts up to 60 miles per hour were also declared. Mountainous regions faced red wind warnings with gusts reaching nearly 90 miles per hour, and schools in the region were scheduled to remain closed during the morning.

Across mainland Portugal, a state of alert was established to address the approaching storm system, with regions such as Lisbon, Leiria, Setúbal, Beja, and Faro expected to experience the most severe impacts. Alongside school closures, authorities warned of potential bridge closures and air traffic restrictions as part of the emergency response.

Legal experts consulted regarding employment standards confirmed that school closures mandated by authorities provide legal grounds for justified absences for parents who must stay home to care for minor children. According to lawyers, such absences fall under specific labor code provisions concerning work interruptions caused by factors beyond the employee's control. Because these absences are legally justified, workers are entitled to retain their normal remuneration without financial penalty.

To formalize the absence, legal professionals advise workers to notify their employers in writing as early as possible. Employees should cite the relevant labor code provisions, provide proof of the school closures, and confirm that no alternative caregiver is available. Legal experts also noted that both parents cannot claim justified leave simultaneously for the same reason, as supervision is already established once one parent remains home.

Regarding remote work, attorneys explained that employers cannot unilaterally impose telework, nor can employees demand it solely due to the weather alert without a prior written agreement. For employees already working remotely, staying home with children does not automatically justify an absence unless exceptional circumstances exist, such as caring for very young toddlers, attending to children with disabilities, or facing power and communication outages.

In situations where remote work is genuinely unfeasible due to childcare duties or technical disruptions, employees must communicate the specific constraints in writing to their company. Legal specialists encourage mutual flexibility and common sense between employers and workers to navigate the exceptional one-day disruption safely.