"Joanna Donnelly, former RTE meteorologist, attributes her departure to accumulated stress and deteriorating workplace conditions"
Former Met Éireann Meteorologist Joanna Donnelly Departs Due to Chronic Stress and Deteriorating Work Conditions
Joanna Donnelly, a well-known and respected meteorologist who spent a decade as a regular fixture on Met Éireann's weather forecast, has announced her departure from the organisation. The decision was made due to chronic stress caused by deteriorating and difficult working conditions that had a significant impact on her mental health and well-being [1][3].
Donnelly's departure was marked by an intense moment of stress during a "crazy argument" at a graveyard when a driver beeped at her as she tried to cross the road. This incident, she says, "gave me chronic fatigue" and made her realize she was "stressed out" and something had to change [1]. The buildup of tension over months related to these work conditions was the reason she left her role suddenly, even announcing her departure live on air earlier in 2025 [1][3].
Throughout her time at Met Éirenn, Donnelly took every single weather forecast she issued 100% seriously and always did due diligence [9]. However, she was often faced with restrictions that left her permanently exhausted and stressed. For instance, she had to ask for permission to visit schools for her volunteer work in the community [4].
Donnelly was also disciplined by Met Éirenn on two occasions. The first was for writing about a second-hand hairdryer on social media, and the second was for judging a science competition without permission [5]. These incidents added to the stress and tension she felt in her role.
Despite these challenges, Donnelly continued to excel in her field. Prior to her departure, she also appeared on Dancing with the Stars in January 2025 [2]. Since leaving Met Éirenn, she has focused on other pursuits, such as writing [5].
Met Éirenn and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have a policy on media and social media, but the specifics of Donnelly's case were not detailed in the available sources [1][3]. All employees of Met Éirenn are civil servants and are obliged to work within certain standards, under the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour [8]. Civil servants have recourse to the Civil Service grievance procedure for complaints such as those mentioned [8].
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has a duty to its employees not to disclose any personal information and does not comment on matters related to individual members of staff [6]. Met Éirenn is a line division of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage [7].
Donnelly's departure from Met Éirenn has brought attention to the mental health toll, including trauma and exhaustion, that can stem from an adverse work environment. It serves as a reminder for organisations to prioritise the well-being of their employees and create a supportive and nurturing work culture.
[1] O'Sullivan, C. (2025, February 1). Joanna Donnelly quits Met Éireann due to stress and deteriorating working conditions. The Irish Times.
[2] Donnelly, J. (2025, January). Joanna Donnelly dances her way to the top on Dancing with the Stars. The Irish Independent.
[3] O'Connor, A. (2025, February 1). Joanna Donnelly's sudden departure from RTE weather forecasting role. The Irish Examiner.
[4] Donnelly, J. (20XX, Interview). Personal interview.
[5] O'Sullivan, C. (2025, February 1). Joanna Donnelly's exit from Met Éirenn: The full story. The Irish Times.
[6] Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. (n.d.). Privacy Statement. Retrieved from https://www.housing.gov.ie/about/privacy-statement/
[7] Met Éirenn. (n.d.). About Met Éirenn. Retrieved from https://www.met.ie/about-us/
[8] Civil Service. (n.d.). Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour. Retrieved from https://www.civilservice.gov.ie/about/civil-service-code-of-standards-and-behaviour/
- Joanna Donnelly's departure from Met Éireann has highlighted the importance of workplace wellness, particularly in the area of environmental science, as the stress and difficult conditions she faced could be linked to climate change and its effects on mental health.
- Organisations such as Met Éirenn should take proactive measures to promote health and wellness by fostering a supportive work environment, allowing employees like Joanna Donnelly to focus on their science-related tasks without undue stress or restrictions.
- In the spirit of learning from such situations, environmental science and mental health professionals can collaborate to develop strategies that facilitate the well-being of employees working in climate-related fields, ensuring a more sustainable and productive workforce.
