Public Consultation on Flexible Working

The Department of Justice and Equality is conducting a public consultation to inform the development of a national flexible working policy.

The policy will take into account the needs of families, individuals, employers and the broader economy.

What is Flexible Working?

Flexible working arrangements can support parents to balance caring and work responsibilities. They can also be crucial for those caring for older people or those with disabilities, as well as for employees who themselves have disabilities.

Flexible working options may include the possibility of starting or finishing work at different times, of doing compressed hours, of having access to flexi-time, of being able to work remotely or having the right to disconnect outside work hours. It also includes access to part-time or shared working options.

The distance that individuals have to travel to their workplaces, the availability and cost of housing, transport, childcare and eldercare all influence the kind of arrangements sought by employees.

What are we consulting on?

Employees

• Does your employer offer flexible working arrangements?Which arrangements are available?
• As an employee, what sort of flexible working arrangements do you need or would you like to see in your workplace?
• In your opinion, which flexible working arrangements should be prioritised?
• Which actions do you think could be undertaken by the Government to enable you to have access to flexible working options?
• Which actions do you think should be introduced by employers?

Employers

• As an employer, what sort of flexible working arrangements work best for you?
• Do you offer flexible working arrangements to your employees?Which options do you offer?
• Are there actions that can be taken by Government to reduce any negative impact of flexible working arrangements for you as an employer?
• Are there new and emerging technologicalsupports or solutions that you would like to see explored or introduced? How would these directly impact on your business?

Trade unions

• What is the current position on flexible working arrangements for your members?
• Which actions would you like to see introduced by Government to improve the range of flexible working arrangements available to your members?
• Which actions would you like to see introduced by employers to enable your members to have access to flexible working arrangements?
• Are there penalties for employees who access flexible working arrangements?

What will the Government do with your responses?

We will use your answers to:

• develop a national policy on flexible working in 2020
• consider whether or not new legislation is needed
• consider whether existing supports meet the needs of businesses and employees and if additional supports are required.
• look at how technology and working methods can help employers and employees have flexible working arrangements that meet the needs of employee and businesses alike.

How you can have your say

There are two ways you can have your say.

Have your say right away

Answer a quick survey on Flexible Working.

Flexible Working Written Submissions

Send a written submission to flexibleworkingconsultation@justice.ie before 31st January 2020.

If you are making a written submission it is recommended that you read the consultation document.