GOVERNMENT PUBLISHES REMOTE WORKING STRATEGY

New laws empowering staff to work from home are set to forever change the landscape for employees in Ireland. The country’s first National Remote Work Strategy will make remote working a permanent option for life after the Covid-19 pandemic. The rights of employees to request remote working will be underpinned by legislation and separately, there will be a code of conduct introduced on the right to disconnect and switch off from engaging with emails or other messages during non-work hours.

An acceleration of the National Broadband Plan is also being explored “in parallel with the measure required to mitigate delays arising as a result of Covid-19”. There will also be an investment in remote work hubs, ensuring they are in locations that suit commuters and are close to childcare facilities. Launching the new strategy, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said: “The requirement to work from home, where possible for reasons of public health, has demonstrated how viable home, remote and blended work can be. Post-pandemic, I want remote working to be part of a whole new world and this Government strategy sets out how we will enable it.”

In relation to concerns about the costs of working from home, the report said that the Department of Finance would review tax arrangements for remote working for employers and employees “and assess the merits of further enhancements”.

Michael McDonnell Managing Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine

Email: michael@irishconstruction.com      WWW.MCDMEDIA.IE