Congress has responded to media reports today that An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar wants to see a phased return to offices in August rather than September.
General Secretary Patricia King said that Congress is currently engaged in a consultation process through the Dept. of the Taoiseach relating to the safe return to work of thousands of workers who have adhered to current Public Health advice and worked from home for the past 15 months.
These discussions include full consideration of all aspects of the return of workers to office locations in the autumn including the health and safety requirements as provided for in the ‘Return to Work Safely Protocol’.
Congress is also of the view that remote and blended working arrangements must continue to be a feature of future working arrangements post restrictions.
Precise dates for the initiation of the return of these workers have not as yet been proposed by the Government but should be guided as always by public health advice and not business interest only.