Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020
132. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will implement a right to disconnect policy across the public services given the increased incidence of remote working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36580/20]
View answerThe Government has committed, in the Programme for Government, to mandating public sector employers to move to 20% home and remote working in 2021. In this context, my Department is now, as a matter of priority, working with employers across the Civil Service to develop the longer term approach to remote working in the sector. My officials are also working closely with the wider Public Service to ensure a consistency of approach. Under the Programme for Government the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has committed to bringing forward proposals on the right to disconnect in 2020.
In respect of remote working and the health and wellbeing of employees during COVID my Department has developed guidance - Working from Home during COVID-19:Guidance for Civil Service Organisations.
https://hr.per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Working-from-Home-Guidelines-Final-version-26-June.pdf
The purpose of this guidance, which issued to Civil Service employers in June, is to support the health and wellbeing of employees; to ensure good practice has been followed by employees when working from home during COVID; and to support the regular and effective delivery of service. The guidance highlights supports available to employees to help them achieve a healthy work life balance and provides direction for managers in supporting employees in this area. It also highlights the requirement to continue to adhere to the obligations under the Organisation of Working Time Act.
