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To ensure that the return to work aligns with current Public Health advice and measures to keep workplaces safe, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment have published an updated Work Safely Protocol to ensure that employers and workers continue to contain and prevent the spread of Covid-19.
This is the fourth iteration of the Protocol following revisions to reflect revisions to Public Health guidelines in November 2020, December 2020 and May 2021. The current iteration of the Protocol, published on 17 September 2021, contains updates that reflect current guidance and measures to assist both businesses and workers returning to the physical workplace.
Throughout the past 18 months, the Irish government has reiterated that working from home has played a considerable part in containing the spread of Covid-19. As Public Health restrictions are gradually reduced and removed in the coming weeks, it is critical that employers successfully navigate the return to work, either through continued remote working, physical attendance in the workplace, or a hybrid model encompassing both.
While many retail and hospitality sectors returned to work in May 2021 in line with government advice at the time, a phased return to the office and workplaces for those currently working from home will now take place from 22 October 2021, when the requirement to work from home will be removed. This will allow employees to return to physical attendance in the workplace on a phased and cautious basis appropriate to each sector.
The return to the work plan will vary by sector and by company. Under the Protocol, there is a non-exhaustive list of industries where specific Public Health advice has been created which employers and workers are required to adhere to. This non-exhaustive list includes the following sectors:
Healthcare | Childcare |
Social care | Education |
Retail | Bars |
Meat processing | Restaurants |
Food processing | Funeral Directors |
Construction |
Further information on the specific guidelines for these sectors is available from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre website hpsc.ie
A key component for ensuring adherence to the Protocol is the role of the Lead Worker Representative (LWR) in the workplace. Employers are required to appoint at least one LWR, who will work with the employer to assist in the implementation of and monitor adherence to the Protocol to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace. LWR’s should be trained appropriately by their employer and be the conduit between workers and the employer for any concerns about the implementation of the Protocol.
The Work Safely Protocol sets out a comprehensive set of steps for employers and workers to reduce the risk of exposure to Covid-19 in the workplace, including:
The Protocol also provides key guidance on workplace and community settings, occupational health and safety measures, as well as a library of resources for employers and workers.
Through many workplace surveys carried out in the past year, it is evident that many office-based employees wish to be able to avail of some form of remote work in the future and many companies are also indicating that they wish to adapt and accommodate the wishes of their employees and continue to offer a degree of flexibility. A recent survey from CIPD Ireland outlined that one in two businesses in Ireland plans to adopt remote working in some form permanently in the future.
Some companies are already setting out their approach to what their working week will look like in the future. Employers such as AIB have already outlined that they plan to move employees to a hybrid working model that will allow many to work from home three days a week. Within their outlined plan, some AIB employees, who were based in the office full-time previously, may move towards working two days per week in an office, combined with remote working for the remainder of the week, depending on local requirements and availability of collaborative workspaces. Similarly, Liberty Insurance announced that it would require its 400 employees to work "primarily remotely in future", providing the option of working up to two days per week in the office and the mobile banking app Revolut are enabling their 50 Irish employees to choose how and when they would like to work from home or visit the workplace.
When organisations consider their working arrangements, any decisions made must be based on several factors, such as business objectives, employees' wishes, potential office space adaptations and associated costs. These key considerations are outlined in further detail below:
Employers must be proactive in their approach to the return to the workplace. As restrictions lift and the vaccination rollout continues, planning and preparation are required to ensure a seamless return.
Our expert team of Consultants at Mazars can assist you in devising your return to the workplace, supporting you in developing detailed policies and procedures in line with government and HSE guidelines and developing a return to workplace model that ensures that the needs of the employer and employee are accommodated effectively.
Our other services include the following but are not limited to:
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