Fórsa has made a number of recommendations in its latest submission on a Code of Practice on the “Right to Request Remote Working.”

The union recently made an official submission to the Workplace Relations Commission’s (WRC) public consultation relating to the right to request remote work for employees.

In the submission, Fórsa has called for the development of a clear and objective criteria for evaluating remote working requests, and for providing transparency and consistency in decision-making.

The union has also called for a mechanism to be embedded in the code that requires employers to respond to remote working requests within four weeks, ensuring that employees receive a prompt and fair assessment of their requests.

Fórsa has also said employees must be able to appeal a decision with the WRC in cases where the employer has not given fair consideration to a request in line with the Code of Practice or is exacting punitive or discriminatory measures on an employee who requests or participates in remote work.

The union says the right to request remote work is advantageous for Ireland as it enables a more flexible and adaptable workforce.

“It promotes work-life balance, allowing employees to better manage personal and professional commitments.

“Remote work can boost productivity by reducing commuting time and providing a conducive environment for focused work. It also expands employment opportunities, attracting talent from diverse locations and facilitating regional development. Ultimately, the right to request remote work enhances well-being, productivity, and the competitiveness of Ireland's workforce and economy,” said the union’s official submission to the public consultation,” it said.

In Ireland, nearly one in four workers began regularly working remote during the pandemic, fundamentally changing their work-life balance, job satisfaction, productivity levels, and commute times.

An evaluation on the impacts of remote working in May of 2022 published by the Department Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, concluded that the general benefits of remote working to employees and employers were likely to outstrip the costs.

Additionally, in a study conducted by Amarách Research for Fórsa in 2020, 86% of respondents were found to be in favour of flexible working arrangements. Respondents cited improved work-life balance, reduced commuting time, and increased work flexibility as the advantages.

Half of the respondents also stated that they felt more productive working from home.

You can read the full submission and list of recommendations here.

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