A code of practice for the right to remote working is to be strengthened as part of a review conducted by the Government. The Department of Enterprise is to recommend that the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) revisits and revises the code to ensure that employers are giving clear reasons for their remote working decisions.
The review carried out by the Department of Enterprise found that the legislation is effective but there are many employees that are unaware of their rights, with it stating that less than half of all employees were aware that there is a legal right to request a remote working arrangement. They also found in the review that there was “low use and awareness of the legislation – particularly among those living in rural communities”.
Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise stated that the Government wishes to know the reasons why remote working is being refused. Burke said on RTE's Morning Ireland that not every job will allow remote working but "we have to hive out opportunity that gives people a better quality of life".
"I know from living in Mullingar there’s so many people commuting right around our country that now can spend two to three days [working remotely], [so] they’re at home in the evening, time that they’re not travelling, they’re not in traffic, they’re with their families ... I want to improve quality of life for people right through our country," Burke said.
“We’re the first country in Europe to do this, the legislation is only two years old ... We’re going to strengthen the code of practice and also we’re going to support people by improving infrastructure and also how they can claim expenses and deductions ... That’s where the Government is very much working hand in glove with employers and employees to support them to have a better quality of life and better time with their families," he continued.
The data from the review shows that 48% of employees in Ireland were aware of their remote working rights, which means that for a "majority of the Irish workforce, this statutory right remains unknown."
"With less than half of the employee population, and significantly fewer in rural areas, aware that this formal right exists, the legislation's potential impact is constrained," the report stated.
As quoted by The Irish Times, Minister of State for Small Business, Retail and Employment Alan Dillon said: "A national awareness campaign will help ensure workers and employers across the country become aware and understand that the right exists."
Dillon continued to state that the report clearly proved that when a remote working arrangement was requested "it delivers, with over 90 per cent of requests approved in full or in part. This is the kind of balanced, practical flexibility that we want to see nationwide."
“It also tells us that too many people are still not aware that the right exists. A national awareness campaign will help ensure workers and employers across the country to become aware and understand that the right exists," he continued.
