Union welcomes commitment on ";right to disconnect"; in programme for government

Union welcomes commitment on “right to disconnect” in programme for government

Proposal lays the basis to significantly improve home-working

The union representing staff across banking and finance has strongly welcomed a commitment in the programme for government to bring forward proposals on a right to disconnect in 2020. The programme says the new Government “will also consider a role for the Workplace Relations Commission in drawing up a code in this area. “

Commenting, FSU General Secretary John O’Connell said:

“There is a considerable focus on remote working in the new programme for government. We strongly welcome that there is a recognition of the need to provide staff with a right to disconnect. We had sought assurances prior to the general election that the programme would contain a commitment in the area.”

“We launched our campaign for a right to disconnect last autumn, following research which showed that up to 1 in 4 workers across finance were expected to answer calls or respond to messages outside of paid working hours. Since then, with the onset of homeworking caused by Covid 19, the issues have intensified.”

“While we welcome a role for the Workplace Relations Commission, we want to ensure that the right to disconnect works in practise as well as in theory.  Our preferred way of doing this is through the introduction of legislation, and we will be working to ensure this happens in the new Dail. We will shortly be releasing a working from home protocol which will set out what needs to be done to ensure home-working works for all, and we welcome the commitment to look at allowances for working from home.”

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