COALITION CAMPAIGNS FOR A FOUR-DAY WORKING WEEK 
Under a new pilot programme, employers are set to trial a four-day week for employees over a six-month period. Starting in January, the pilot is being organised by the Four Day Week Ireland campaign, which claims the initiative can deliver positive results for business and provide the work/life balance for employees.
NEW CODE PUTS RIGHT TO DISCONNECT INTO PRACTICE
Ireland’s new Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect means that employees may now switch off from work outside of normal working hours, and should any problems or issues arise, they are entitled to raise the matter with the Workplace Relations Commission.
EU REGULATIONS NEED TO BRING TELEWORK INTO LINE
The widespread adoption of teleworking in response to the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020 exposed gaps in the legislation governing telework arrangements across EU Member States. With different approaches taken by each state, will the EU now bring them all into line? MAJORITY OF EMPLOYEES FAVOUR WORKING REMOTELY
More than 95 per cent of employees in Ireland prefer some form of remote employment once the pandemic ends, according to the findings of a new survey, led by the Whitaker Institute at NUI Galway and the Western Development Commission.
NEW SICK LEAVE SCHEME PHASED IN OVER FOUR YEARS
All workers will have the right to be paid for up to 10 days of sick leave per year by 2025, under a new statutory sick leave scheme announced by the Government, which will be phased in over four years to help employers to plan ahead and manage the additional cost. ADDRESSING CONCERNS OVER COVID NON-VACCINATION
With the Covid-19 vaccination strategy gathering pace, employers may find themselves facing a new dilemma - what to do about employees who opt out of Covid-19 vaccination. Due to an individual’s Constitutional personal right to bodily integrity, employers cannot insist that all employees receive the vaccine, before returning to the physical workspace. STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN TO ADDRESS HEALTH CONCERNS
The Government will link in with businesses and employers, public bodies and organisations, sports and community groups across the country under the Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan (2021-2025) - cross-government approach, with a special emphasis on health inequalities, to enable people to live healthier lives. SPOTLIGHT ON REMOTE ERGONOMIC ASSESSMENTS
Organisations may not be fully aware of the steps to ensure employees have proper remote working set-ups, writes Andy Mackin, CEO of Mackin. He highlights the importance of ergonomic assessments to critically assess work stations, and for employers to act before any preventable issues may arise. MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR NURSES AND MIDWIVES
A mental health and wellbeing initiative by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), to bring awareness and education around mental health supports to all INMO members, follows research findings which revealed that 91% of respondents had experienced mental exhaustion while off duty. IOSH PROFESSIONALS VOLUNTEER TIME AND EXPERTISE
National Volunteering Week (17-23 May) presented an opportunity for IOSH to thank members who give their time voluntarily on the committees of its branches, districts and sections. Here’s a look at the voluntary work of some IOSH Ireland members. HOW WORKPLACES WILL SHAPE THE FUTURE OF WORK
With many companies operating on a remote work basis since March 2020, decisions need to be made on the extent to which this will remain the case to shape the culture moving forward, says Anthony Hickey, Organisational Culture Analyst with Great Place to Work.
INSPIRING EMPLOYEES IN THE POST-COVID-19 WORKPLACE
As offices are set to reopen their doors, some employees may be chomping at the bit to meet up with their workplace colleagues, while others may need to be coaxed back, writes Dan Harding, CEO of Sign In App. He outlines the steps which companies may take to ensure that all employees will want to re-establish collaboration and connection. HSENI REPORTS DROP IN WORKPLACE FATALITIES
The 21st Annual Report of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) reveals a significant drop in workplace fatalities and major injuries from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020. Robert Kidd. CEO, noted that the HSENI’s work to reduce occupational ill-health has developed as a result of working with a number of external organisations.