Ms Bríd O'Brien:

It is a matter of ensuring there are good contracts, that people are clear about their hours and expectations and that both parties, the employer and the employee, have clarity in that people know there they stand and that if flexibility is required on either side, there are clear mechanisms to address that. In that way people at least have a good sense of where they stand from week to week or month to month, depending on circumstances, and both parties have clarity and workers have certainty about their work and a sense of protection. Flexible work arrangements suit some people and that is their choice. It is important that people feel they have a choice but for other people, particularly those trying to make the welfare to work journey, because of the uncertainty of the work on offer, many of them have felt that they could not make that journey, particularly if they had any logistical issues to address, be it child care or transport. In particular in the case of transport, it is very hard for people to secure their own private transport if they do not know where they stand income wise. It is a question of ensuring there is good information, that people understand their rights and responsibilities, that there are clear contracts, and that people know what is in them, what is expected of them and what is expected by both parties.