Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Working people are under more pressure than ever before. Many have been working at home since March and for many of them the distinction between work life and home life has blurred beyond recognition. Video meetings in different time zones, work calls in the evenings and the constant ping of emails arriving have heaped pressure on people. This is especially true for those who are struggling with their work-life balance, their mental health or the general upheaval that Covid-19 has presented. Current laws state that people should work an average of a maximum of 48 hours per week. For many, that would be a luxury. The programme for Government contains a commitment in respect of the introduction of proposals this year regarding a right to disconnect. This was part of the Fine Gael remote working strategy launched in January, prior to the Covid pandemic, and it is something that is already in action in France. Can the Tánaiste outline plans to enable employees to have the right to disconnect so that when they switch off from work they can actually switch off?

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