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Remote working? Tell us what you think
by Bernard Harbor
 
Even those who favour home working may have concerns about issues like health and safety, the quality of employer communications and supervision, childcare issues, work-life balance, and maintaining a right to disconnect from work emails and calls.

Fórsa is undertaking some research about your experience of remote working. We want to hear about your experience of working at home during the Covid-19 emergency, and your thoughts about whether – and how – remote working should feature in our working lives in future.

 

More than a third of Ireland’s employees – including tens of thousands of civil and public servants – were working from home at the peak of the pandemic. Many still are, and it’s clear that this will continue for some time.

 

A recent survey found that only 12% of business leaders think all their staff will return to workplaces once Covid-19 restrictions are eased, with 40% predicting an equal mix of staff working in the office and remotely in future.

 

Home working has been good news for a lot of workers, with many Fórsa members establishing productive and rewarding remote routines. But it can be a struggle for others whose accommodation or personal circumstances don’t support this way of working.

 

And even those who favour home working may have concerns about issues like health and safety, the quality of employer communications and supervision, childcare issues, work-life balance, and maintaining a right to disconnect from work emails and calls.

 

Fórsa wants to preserve the benefits of remote working while ensuring that proper safeguards are in place to protect staff. The union also wants the criteria for determining who works at home to include an element of choice, and a recognition that some people are just unable to sustain remote working for long periods of time.

 

By participating in our short survey you’ll ensure that your views help shape the union’s approach to negotiations with employers – and our discussions with official bodies including the Government, which is currently consulting on the issue.

 

We are working with Amárach Research on this survey, but none of your personal or contact data has been shared with them or any external organisation. All responses will be treated in strict confidence. Nobody will see or share your personal response to the survey, and only aggregated findings will be reported.

 

Participate in the Fórsa remote working survey HERE.

 

Read Fórsa’s remote working guidelines HERE.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.


Also in this issue
Wellness Wednesday: Money in uncertain times
by Róisín McKane
 

Financial guru Trevor Gardiner will talk about managing money in the final instalment of Fórsa’s live wellness webinar series at 10am next Wednesday (22nd July). You can register here.

 

Trevor will outline simple ways to save money and plan for the future in this uncertain era. Free support services will also be offered to Fórsa members in financial difficulty.

 

The series is brought to you in association with Cornmarket, which administers two of the union’s salary protection schemes. The series features experts on a range of topics from managing anxiety to motivation at work and home.

 

Trevor is Cornmarket's dedicated financial services manager, who works exclusively with Fórsa members. With over 15 years’ experience in the financial industry he has helped hundreds plan for a more secure financial future.

 

The series was informed by recent survey which found that 80% of Fórsa members experienced anxiety during the Covid-19 crisis. A quarter of the respondents placed money concerns at the top of their list of worries.

 

Register for ‘money in uncertain times’ (10am, Wednesday 22nd July) HERE.

 

Get more details on future Fórsa-Cornmarket ‘Wellness Wednesday’ events HERE.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

 

Webinar considers climate and automation
 

The penultimate webinar in Fórsa’s campaigning summer series looks at union responses to climate change and automation. It takes place at 1.00pm next Friday (24th July), when you’ll be able to join the lunchtime session HERE.

 

A panel of expert speakers will explore the transition to a low-carbon economy and the transition brought about by the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ of digital technology.

 

Speakers include climate change law consultant Sinead Mercier, co-director of Queens University’s Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action John Barry, Maynooth professor Mary Murphy, and Fórsa communications officer Niall Shanahan.

 

Kevin Donoghue, who organised the series, said climate change and automation posed many challenges for workers.

 

“They will likely bring about the need for greater retraining and upskilling, due to the disruption and displacement they will cause to the jobs we are familiar with today. This session will consider how we can manage these twin transitions in ways that benefit workers,” he said.

 

You can follow the event on Twitter using the hashtag #FórsaSummerSeries.

 

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

 

Update your contact details
 

You can help us keep you up-to-date with union information, news and advice by checking your contact details and amending them if necessary. If we have your home and personal contact details (personal email, mobile phone number, and home address) we can get information to you quickly and directly. You can update your contact details HERE.