Introduction

The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 has been signed into law by the President.

This update focuses on the changes implemented by the legislation in relation to:-

• Remote working;
• Flexible working;
• Special Leave.

Obviously the concepts of remote and flexible working attracted a great deal of attention in the last few years - especially with the advent of Covid.

• The Government embraced the concept of Remote working, culminating in a draft Scheme being published in 2021.
• Separately, the EU Work Life Balance Directive (2019/1158) was due to be incorporated into Irish law in August 2022. The Directive is primarily concerned with flexible working.

These concepts are relatively distinct - Remote working does not involve any change