Review of remote working laws offers chance to fix what’s not working – Currie

The review of the Right to Request Remote Working legislation currently underway is not just an opportunity to strengthen the law, but to address problems being experienced by workers and employers, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Emer Currie, Chair of the All Party Oireachtas Group on Remote Working, said that the public consultation on the Right to Request Remote Working legislation closes today at 3pm and has gathered nearly 7,000 responses in the three-week period it has been open.

Deputy Currie said: “Remote working is evidently something our workforce and employers feel strongly about and that is why this consultation has been so important, to allow all stakeholders have their say.

“Remote and hybrid working in Ireland remains strong. A third of people usually or sometimes work from home and approximately 15% work remotely full-time – ahead of the European average. Flexible and remote work has helped drive record employment and grow female labour participation, while easing pressure on our infrastructure.

“But change is happening. Big name firms are amending their remote and hybrid policies. Commuters are experiencing more congestion and a reported rowing back of diversity, equality and inclusion programmes across industry is giving rise to uncertainty and fear around flexible workplaces.

“While the legislation is being used extensively in practice by employees and employers, the number of formal disputes is low, especially considering the increase in high profile return-to-office orders. A total of just 56 cases have been taken to the WRC since the new law was introduced in 2024. Of cases that have concluded, 1 complaint was upheld, 4 were resolved by mediation, 11 rejected and 32 closed

“Ireland’s success in remote work is not by accident. Ireland’s continued success in remote work cannot be taken for granted.

“This review of the right to request remote work legislation is not just our opportunity to strengthen the legislation but to update our national remote and hybrid work policies. We now have a chance to go further – to look to other jurisdictions for learnings. We must use this review to fix what isn’t working, protect what is, and bring more remote jobs to every community in the country.”