How to work: Remote-working policy is a delicate balancing act

Given that working from home is here to stay in some form or another, both employers and employees would benefit from further clarity about their rights and obligations

While many employees are enthusiastic about continuing to work remotely in the future, the desire to do so five days a week is much lower than it was at the start of the pandemic. Photo: Getty

It is broadly agreed that there is a need for clearer guidance in the area of remote working to take into account the range of challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Irish employers and employees are likely to diverge, however, on questions around the extent of the rights and obligations to be set out in any future government policy.

Leaving aside the thorny question of the form any such policy should take, it’s worth considering ...