A new memo issued last week by the HSE provides guidance to health employers on compliance with rest provisions, and maximum weekly working hours, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fórsa raised concerns last year that the failure to make provision for compensatory rest for health managers (Grade 8 and above), who had worked 60 to 70 hour weeks over seven days through most of last year, risked a breach of state legislation on working time. The memo, dated 18^th February, provides guidance to employers on their responsibility to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act (1997), which provides for minimum rest periods and maximum weekly working hours, including maximum average net weekly working time of 48 hours.

Fórsa’s head of Health and Welfare, Éamonn Donnelly, said the new guidance was welcome, confirming the duty of health employers to ensure the provision of adequate rest.

“The union’s claim for compensatory rest last year reflected a situation where staff, who do not receive overtime or time in lieu, consistently worked very long hours during a uniquely intense period of health service delivery. These same people hold the responsibility of making crucial decisions about service delivery and responding to the needs of the community.

“Some units within the HSE have subsequently taken steps to ensure the provision of adequate rest while others haven’t. In those instances Fórsa will contact those workers and encourage them to make a claim for compensatory rest, and the union will seek assurances from the HSE that adequate resources are in place to ensure those claims can be facilitated,” he said.

Read the full memo HERE.

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