Fórsa is urging the Legal Aid Board to continue to allow members to work from home during the ongoing pandemic, consistent with the latest advice issued by the Government on Wednesday night.

Board employees had been working remotely for the last number of months, however, concerns were raised with the employer after a number of staff were asked to return to the workplace, despite carrying out their duties effectively while working from home.

Fórsa official Seán Carabini explained that while Fórsa accepts that the work of the Legal Aid Board is an essential public service, he is concerned that the employer is moving toward a default position of office attendance for workers who can carry out their duties remotely.

“We have called for more caution in relation to ensuring that only work that cannot be done remotely should be done on site,” he said.

In correspondence with the Legal Aid Board, Seán urged the employer to carefully consider government advice to ensure what work is carried out remotely and where: “I have again asked the Board to consider very carefully the direction from the government, to ensure that work which can be done from home is being done from home, in accordance with the spirit of the government’s instructions on trying to control the pandemic,” he said.

Seán advocated that remote working where possible should be the default position for Legal Aid Board staff. “Workers should work from home in the first instance, with the employer making a case-by-case argument for workplace attendance,” he said.

Seán confirmed that engagement is ongoing.