Over one third of business leaders are split on Right to Request Remote Working Bill 2022.

The latest quarterly IoD Director Sentiment Monitor survey for Q1 2022 finds that more than one-third (35%) of business leaders do not believe the Draft Scheme of the Right to Request Remote Working Bill 2022 balances the rights and requirements of both employees and employers. However, 28% of business leaders believe the Draft Scheme balances the rights and requirements of employees and employers.

Of those who are unhappy with the proposed new legislation, 93% think the Government should “go back to the drawing board” with the bill and do a fuller and more detailed consultation with the relevant parties.

The findings of the survey which are contained in the latest quarterly ‘Director Sentiment Monitor’ from the Institute of Directors in Ireland which is due to be published later this month. The survey was completed by 314 directors and business leaders.

The survey also shows that almost half of business leaders have a personal belief that hybrid working has been a success but when it comes to their organisation forming a position on it, 36% say it is too soon to do so.

Commenting on the findings, Maura Quinn, Chief Executive, the Institute of Directors (IoD) in Ireland, said:

“While some form of hybrid working has been adopted by many organisations since the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clear that it is too soon to tell how successful the model will be. However, the fact that almost half (48%) of business leaders note it has been a success is significant. It would seem, too, that business leaders are split on whether the Draft Scheme of the Right to Request Remote Working Bill 2022 will satisfy both employees and employers. The finding that 37% of business leaders say they ‘don’t know enough’ about the Right to Request Remote Working Bill 2022 indicates that we have some way to go on this issue.

“We live in uncertain and changing times, across a number of fronts, and it will surely take some time for some of the issues around remote and hybrid working – including the proposed legislation in this area – to be resolved. It is crucial at this stage for business leaders to ensure transparency and engagement with their staff, to ensure that whichever model is implemented benefits the needs of the employer and the employee.”