Civil and public service employers have been encouraged to support staff experiencing childcare difficulties because of coronavirus-related school or crèche closures.

New advice from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) says this could be done by enabling home working or introducing flexible shifts, staggered shifts, longer opening hours or weekend working.

DPER says such measures could also ease workplace social distancing measures. “Where employees can work from home this should be facilitated to the maximum extent feasible,” it says.

It has called on managers and employees to be flexible in circumstances where staff have to mind children on foot of school or crèche closures. And it advises staff who experience coronavirus-related childcare difficulties to stay in regular contact with their managers.

Meanwhile, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has produced new guidance for staff temporarily working at home. And the Data Protection Commission has issued guidance on protecting personal data when working remotely. You can find the Data Protection Commission guidance here.