Right to work remotely in Mayo "as remote as ever"

This is 'not the triumph people think it is', Hilary O’Connor, Consultant Solicitor and Mediator, tells the Mayo News, after the first successful Workplace Relations Commission case brought under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023.

It’s a 'toothless piece of legislation', Westport-based O’Connor explains that even though employees were “really excited when it was introduced, the WRC will not look at the merit of the decision, they will just look at the process.”

READ MORE:Mayo top destination for remote work relocation

Laura del Rosal, Chapter Leader, Grow Remote Westport, has been following the WRC decisions closely and was ‘disappointed’ by the result as “I didn’t see it as a win for work-life balance, it was a slap on the wrist for Salesforce, who were just a few days off in reaching their decision. It was just a ‘technicality’”.

Far from remote working becoming more common, a lot of companies are going back to five days a week or requiring remote workers to report into the office three times a week, which is a trend that del Rosal says is a ‘shame to see.’

She argues the current legislation is “not working and hasn’t done anything to support employees who want to work remotely.”

Del Rosal would like to see the Government introduce clearer legislation, offer more support to employers who want to move towards remote working and invest in more remote hubs.

There are currently 23 Connected Hubs listed in Mayo, according to ConnectedHubs.ie

O’Connor doesn’t see any prospect of the current legislation being tested in the courts as “all you can hope for is four weeks pay because the employer did not consider it within the four week timeframe.”

The Westport chapter of Grow Remote currently has 25 members and their next meet up is on Saturday, May 24, at 10am at Westport Adventure.

The event offers a chance to get active, meet fellow remote professionals, and enjoy some outdoor fun. The event is mostly funded by Grow Remote, with a €10 donation per participant. To register, participants can search for "Grow Remote" or the “Zoom to Zipline” event on Eventbrite.ie, where full details are available.

Grow Remote is a community-driven initiative that supports remote and hybrid workers by offering opportunities to connect, collaborate, and grow locally. With over 80 chapters across Ireland, Grow Remote helps individuals find remote roles, provides resources for success, and strengthens local economies by fostering a connected remote work community.