The Right to Request Flexible Working Set To Be In Place by Summer
Michelle McDonagh, Senior HR Client Relationship Consultant, Adare Human Resource Management
In late April, the Cabinet agreed to introduce Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman’s “Work-Life Balance Bill” that commits to introduce the elements of the EU Directive. The legislation is due before the Dáil in the coming weeks and it is expected to be in place ahead of the summer recess.
The proposed Bill entitles employees to five days of unpaid leave available for all family members to support those with medical needs. Carers or parents will also have the right to request flexible or compressed work hours. Under the Bill, there will be an entitlement for paid breastfeeding breaks as well as introducing paid leave for victims of domestic violence.
Work-Life Balance Directive
The Work-Life BalanceDirective is an EU law which aims to make it easier for people working in the EU to balance paid work and private life, including caring responsibilities. The Directive was formally adopted by the European Parliament and by the Council of the European Union in June 2019 and member states have 3 years to transpose the Directive in their national law.
The Work-Life Balance Directive introduces minimum standards for parental leave including paternity leave, carer’s leave, the right to flexible working arrangements for parents and carers, and safeguards against unfair dismissals.
The Directive is designed to modernise existing work-life balance frame works for parents and carers while also supporting a more equal sharing of parental leave.
While employees will have the right to request flexible work arrangements, employers will not be under an obligation to grant any such request.
What is meant by Flexible Working?
Flexible working is a term used to cover a broad range of working arrangements including Part-time working, Flexitime, Staggered hours and Hybrid working among others.
The proposed bill is not to be confused with the recent announcement that the Government has agreed the heads of bill for the Right to Request Remote Working Bill 2021:
Overview- Ireland’s current Parental, Paternity, Carer’s and Family Leave
Adare Human Resource Management is a team of expert-led Employment Law, Industrial Relations and best practice Human Resource Management consultants. For more information go to www.adarehrm.ie or call (01) 5613594 or email adarechambers@adarehrm.ie.