Irish Workers Unaware of Remote Work Rights Amid Office Push

On March 9, 2026, findings revealed that more than half of Irish workers are unaware of their legal right to request remote work. As companies increasingly encourage employees to return to the office, the Government faces pressure to promote existing legislation meant to support flexible working arrangements. A significant decline in remote work has been observed, with 15,900 employees called back to physical offices, resulting in 956,700 individuals working from home occasionally—the lowest figure since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Recent data indicates that the number of people fully office-based has reached 1,865,600, a jump of 74,200 since the previous year. Currently, 57% of employees work entirely from the office, 33% adopt a hybrid model, and only 9% are fully remote. Despite these shifts, the Government’s Statutory Review Report on Work Life Balance suggests that Ireland ranks second in Europe for the frequency of remote work, yet there are no indications of plans to amend the existing Right to Request Remote Work legislation.

Awareness and Accessibility Issues

The legislation allows employees to legally request remote working arrangements. Nevertheless, a significant barrier exists: awareness of this right is alarmingly low. Over half of workers, including 62% in rural areas, do not even know such legislation exists. In fact, since its introduction in March 2024, only 10% of workers have submitted a formal request to work from home, and a mere 5% of employers report having received such requests. Notably, the approval rate for these requests stands at an impressive 94%, with fewer than 7% being denied.

Employers are not mandated to approve requests but must consider them, creating a disconnect between the high approval rates and the low number of requests. This raises critical questions about the effectiveness of the legislation and its implementation. The Government has acknowledged the need for a national awareness campaign to inform workers about their rights, although details of this initiative remain undisclosed.

Challenges in the Work Environment

Another significant issue is the discrepancy between the experiences of employees and employers regarding the application process. While many employees found the process to be straightforward, numerous reports detail puzzling paperwork and ambiguous policies. Concerns about managerial gatekeeping have also emerged, with only 33% of employees expressing confidence in their understanding of the process.

According to the Government, plans are underway to update the Workplace Relations Commission’s code of practice to enhance transparency around decision-making, appeals, and mediation support. Additionally, efforts will be made to simplify application templates, potentially easing the process for employees seeking to work remotely.

The current landscape presents a complex challenge for the Irish Government. With an increasing number of workers being summoned back to offices, it is crucial for officials to not only promote the Right to Request Remote Work but also to address the existing awareness and accessibility issues. If the Government does not take decisive action regarding return-to-office mandates, it must intensify efforts to ensure that workers are informed about their rights and that the process of requesting remote work is streamlined and transparent.