Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn about your legal right to request flexible or remote working arrangements under this Irish legislation.
This legislation provides employees with a legal framework to request changes to how and where they work.
Who it's for
This scheme is available to all employees. Regardless of your specific job role or industry, the legislation is designed to ensure that the workforce has a structured way to discuss work arrangements that better suit their personal needs.
What you get
Under this act, you gain a statutory right to request remote working or other types of flexible working arrangements. This means you can formally ask your employer to change your working patterns, such as your hours or your physical location, to help you achieve a better balance between your professional responsibilities and your personal life.
What it costs you
While there is no direct monetary fee for an employee to make a request, there are administrative requirements. For an organization to remain compliant with WRC standards, it requires the creation and maintenance of formal company policy documentation. This documentation is necessary to ensure that all requests are handled in a consistent and professional manner across the business.
The catch to know
The most important thing to understand is that simply making a request does not guarantee an approval. You must follow a clear, established procedure for handling these requests. It is essential that both the employee and the employer adhere to the specific steps laid out in the company's internal policy to ensure the process is valid and meets legal requirements.
How to apply
- Consult your employment contract and company handbook to find the specific internal rules for requesting changes.
- Prepare a formal request that outlines the specific type of flexible or remote working you are seeking.
- Submit your request through the official channels defined in your company's policy documentation.
- Follow up with your employer to ensure they are following the correct procedure for reviewing and responding to your request.