Dr. Michelle O'Sullivan:

We had a similar recommendation on worker protections where we used the six-month time frame. In that sense there are a number of options available for this type of work particularly when we look at the international context. One is to stop this work from the outset so there is no opportunity for any level of flexible work for that first six months. Some countries ban this type of work entirely. The second option is to become quite restrictive on the number of hours. In France, there are a set number of hours, where part-time workers get 24 hours, for example.

On the six-month rule, we tried to strike a balance where there is an opportunity both for the employer and the worker to get a sense of the type or level of work they might be doing for the first six months. I understand the concerns about 12 months and a comment was made about protections available under the Unfair Dismissals Acts for 12 months, but there are also provisions under the Acts for exemptions, for example, with regard to the national minimum wage or pregnancy related issues. People have raised this as a concern before the committee and said that perhaps there should be an alignment with the 12-month rule.