Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 November 2021
92. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has adopted the Workplace Relations Commission Code of Conduct on the Right to Disconnect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53484/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that the rights of employees to disconnect and switch off from work, enshrined in the Workplace Relations Commission Code of Practice on “The Right to Disconnect”, represent one of 19 underlying Themes of 5 key, interrelated Dimensions of employee health and wellbeing identified in the Civil Service Health and Wellbeing Framework prepared by my Department. The Civil Service HR Division in my Department is currently preparing an Information Note for Civil Service employers on the “Right to Disconnect”.
The Civil Service is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all civil servants and to ensure that their health, welfare and wellbeing at work is, as far as possible, reasonably protected. The Civil Service Health and Wellbeing Framework has been drawn up to support Civil Service Departments and Offices in developing their own health and wellbeing programmes and to enable them to respond to the individual needs and characteristics of their organisations. The Framework is a guidance document, which outlines the importance of a healthy Civil Service workplace in safeguarding employee health and wellbeing across 5 key Dimensions.
