Tesco and Supermac's were among a number of employers to close today due to Ophelia.
Mandate Trade Union called on all employers in Ireland to close in order to protect the health and safety of their staff.
The union said ex-hurricane Ophelia presented a very real threat and it would be entirely irresponsible of employers to operate as normal.
Mandate wrote to employers where they have members and received confirmation that Debenhams, Dunnes Stores, Penneys, Marks and Spencer and some Supervalu stores would close.
Dunnes Stores have confirmed all staff rostered to work 16/10/17 will be paid as normal. #Ophelia
— Dunnes Stores (@dunnesstores) October 16, 2017
Heatons, Arnotts, Brown Thomas, Supervalu Pettitts, Argos, Shaws, Caulfields Supervalu and Easons also confirmed they would close.
Meanwhile, hairdressers Peter Marks closed all 71 of their outlets, while Dixons Carphone Warehouse closed their shops.
Some Tesco stores opened this morning, with the decision to do so left to local level, but a statement from the company this afternoon said all stores had closed.
After keeping some stores open earlier, Tesco Ireland has now closed all stores due to #Ophelia and will reopen ‘when it is safe to do so’
— Aengus Cox (@AengusCox) October 16, 2017
"Given the nature of the severe weather conditions predicted to hit the country later today Mandate Trade Union wishes to remind all employers of their specific duty of care obligations to employees and would ask to place these ahead of any other considerations, Gerry Light, Mandate Assistant General Secretary said.
"We would also like to recognise and commend those employers who have already taken definitive action by deciding that businesses will close for the duration of the red warning weather alert," he added.
