Employers' body Ibec has urged the Government to introduce an emergency social welfare payment from the first day of absence for a period of two weeks to address difficulties arising from the Covid-19 virus.
Under current social protection rules, workers who fall ill or self-isolate on medical advice may be entitled to Illness Benefit subject to having enough PRSI contributions.
But that benefit does not apply for the first six days of sickness.
Alternatively they may be entitled to Supplementary Welfare - but that is subject to a means test.
In a letter to the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty, Ibec chief executive Danny McCoy noted that the situation is still evolving.
He warned that "the escalating spread globally has raised the possibility of widespread illness and other disruption among the workforce in Ireland."
He says this has the potential to result in organisations having to close for a period of time or to reduce the working hours of employees, either due to a loss of business, or to reduce contact between employees.
"To this end we request that a special emergency social welfare payment is provided, at the level of Job Seekers Benefit, for a two-week period from the first day of employment stoppage, waiving the qualifying period," Mr McCoy stated.
He said he believes this would benefit employees affected by company closures or reduced working hours, or in situations where they have been advised to self-isolate in line with HSE guidelines.
He stressed that this would "minimise the risk of people coming into work and spreading the virus if they have been exposed".
He described HSE guidance on self-isolation and other precautions to prevent the spread of the virus as very helpful.
Mr McCoy also appealed to the department to engage with Ibec at the earliest possible opportunity.
He has also circulated his letter to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, the Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys and the top civil servants in a number of government departments.
