Ireland’s employers have been issued with new guidance on the return to the office as the government urges a newly cautious approach.
The latest advice comes just ten days after the requirement to work from home was dropped in line with the vast easing of measures announced on January 21, 2022.
The document lists out recommendations for businesses including how to go about the gradual return, how to support staff who are nervous, and the necessary infection prevention controls that should be in place.
The Government says all businesses which have been issued with specific guidance should now review it and update their own Covid prevention methods in line with this advice.
Here’s what you need to know about the updated advice:
Symptoms of Covid-19
Rules remain the same for those returning to the office in terms of hygiene, social distancing and isolation.
Therefore if an employee develops symptoms of Covid, they should remain at home.
"Workers should continue to follow the requirements set out in this document and with any specific direction from the employer,” the new guidance says.
"They should also continue to maintain good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette practices.
"If a worker has any signs or symptoms of Covid-19, they should not attend work and should get a test and follow the relevant public health advice"
Offices should also follow the current rules on wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and adhering to all basic hand and respiratory hygiene.
Mask wearing
Anyone who avails of public transport services to get to work should continue to wear a face mask on board.
For those that work in jobs handling or preparing food and drink, mask rules will remain in effect until the end of February.
“The regulations, which remain in place until February 28, 2022, also require workers in a relevant premise to wear a face mask/covering when involved in the preparation of, or service of, food or beverages for consumption on the premises.”
Vaccination
Although vaccination is not mandatory for a return to the office in Ireland, the government emphasises the benefits of being protected against the virus when heading back out into society.
“Public health advice still emphasises that vaccination against Covid-19 remains a key element to not only protect the individual from serious illness but also in protecting the wider community too,” the document says.
“Employers and workers should keep up to date with information on the national strategy regarding vaccination against Covid-19.”
Work From Home
On working from home, it says employers should "discuss and engage" with workers who may be anxious about the physical return to the workplace.
“Some workers may be anxious about the physical return to the workplace and in such instances, the employer should discuss and engage with the individual concerned and endeavour to provide supports where available,” it says.
“The Government has also called on employers, in consultation with their employees, to start to develop or finalise their long-term arrangements for blended or remote working and draft legislation has been published to formalise this.”
