Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am aware of the study and have asked officials to consider the findings in the context of the national remote work strategy. The study was conducted earlier this year by a multinational company. It included more than 600 workers based in Ireland as part of a wider survey that encompassed the views of 31,000 technology and healthcare workers in 31 countries. Although the study indicated that half of those surveyed placed a high value on flexible work practices, its findings also suggested that approximately one third of the hybrid workers who responded had experienced challenges disconnecting from work. It is important to state that in an Irish context, this survey relates only to a relatively small cohort of workers within specific sectors and cannot be taken as indicative of all those who have hybrid work arrangements.

Nonetheless, an always-on culture can present challenges in workplaces even when hybrid or remote working is not a factor. For that reason, in November 2020, I requested that the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, prepare a draft code of practice on the right to disconnect, in accordance with section 20(2) of the Workplace Relations Act 2015. The code is a best-practice guide covering statutory obligations around record-keeping, maximum average weekly working hours permitted for employees and rest period entitlements. It is also aimed at ensuring that employees are aware of their legal entitlements and how to raise concerns over non-compliance.

The European Parliament has also proposed a directive on an EU-wide right to disconnect. My officials are following these developments closely and although it may be some time before we see progress at a European level, Ireland is ahead with our code of practice is already in place. Flexible work practices should aid work-life balance generally. That is why I have prioritised the right to request remote work legislation, which is currently undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny.

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