Ms Bríd O'Brien:

It is a pattern that could help people for whom transport is an issue, whose workplace is not accessible or who have other responsibilities to balance. Others like to go into the office so that when they leave the office or place of work, work is left behind and home is home. There can be downsides to it as well. I wondered if it would arise that if an employer expects people to work from home, does the employer not have to provide the wherewithal to do the job? Is the employee expected to rock up with whatever is required to do the job? There are two sides to that one and it will be interesting to see how it evolves. Digital working could create a more inclusive labour market. We went from it not being a runner to seeing it could work during Covid; now it looks like we are beginning to drift back to "We can't be having any more of that". We need to strike a balance. It could help some people manage, be included and work on their own terms, which would be very helpful.