Public Consultation on Flexible Working

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Mr. Roderic O’Gorman T.D. has launched a consultation seeking the public’s views on flexible working, which will run from 05 May 2021 to 28 May 2021.

The findings of the consultation will be used to develop a policy framework that is responsive to the changing business environment, promotes better work-life balance and supports labour market participation for parents and carers through family-friendly work practices.

The Press Release can be accessed here.

Purpose of the Consultation

The Government is seeking to develop a flexible working policy and guidance that takes account of the needs of families (particularly those with young children); of individuals, including those with disabilities; of employers and of the broader economy.

This consultation is being undertaken to seek views from employers, employees and the wider public on:

• the issues that are most important for them in terms of flexible working, the types of flexible working arrangements currently in place and the changes that they wish to see;
• the potential impact of changes in technology, the workplace, the family and society on the types of flexible working arrangements available to, or sought by, employees;
• the changing nature of flexible working arrangements in light of the pandemic;
• the potential obstacles that may exist for small, medium and large employers when facilitating flexible working arrangements for employees as well as the potential administrative impact;
• the success factors that will help the Government and businesses to develop flexible working options that suit employees and employers.

Submissions

If you wish to participate in this consultation, you can submit your views by completing a short questionnaire on flexible working, which can be accessed here.

Detailed written submissions are also invited and can be returned to flexibleworkingconsultation@equality.gov.ie

Further information, including guidance on written submissions, is available in the Guidance note.

The closing date for receipt of submissions is Friday 28 May 2021 at 5pm.

Please note that submissions received will not be responded to.

Freedom of Information

All submissions submitted to the Department are subject to release under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2014 and are also subject to Data Protection legislation.

Irish Version

An Irish language version of the consultation is available here.