Employers body IBEC is warning that thousands of workers could lose income in the event of power cuts caused by a strike at ESB.
Unions at the ESB have served notice of strike on the company - which is due to start on December 16th.
Both sides say talks will continue - but so far talks on the pension scheme have failed to reach a deal.
Speaking on the Last Word, Maeve McElwee of IBEC says employers should stress-test their businesses to see if they need to put their workers on protective notice;
