A survey has found that human resources (HR) staff working in the public sector have concerns about employment-law issues arising from flexible working and remote working.

The survey was carried out by law firm ByrneWallace LLP, in conjunction with workplace compliance company Legal Island.

Almost two-thirds highlighted concerns about how to deal with flexibility issues, such as hybrid-working arrangements and working from hubs.

Right to disconnect

The recently-announced new code of practice on the ‘right to disconnect’ was also identified as a key area of concern by almost two-thirds of HR professionals.

Issues related to COVID-19 — including those linked to returning to work and vaccinations — were also among the main concerns cited by survey respondents.

ByrneWallace partner Michelle Ní Longáin (pictured) said that the pandemic had created an unprecedented transition from office-based to remote working.

She added that this had taken place urgently, without a full opportunity to consider and develop how best to address the various rights, responsibilities and interests of employers and employees.

She added that the National Remote Work Strategy, which sets a target of requiring at least 20% of public sector workers to work remotely by the end of 2021, posed “significant opportunities and challenges” for policymakers and HR professionals working in the public sector.