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The dilemma of childcare for both workers and employers

by Derek McKay

As businesses in Ireland continue to reopen and welcome staff back to their premises one of the biggest issues facing many will be the availability of childcare.

If schools don't operate in the same way as they did pre-Covid-19 and employees are faced with the inadequate childcare options in the months ahead, they may expect employees to extend the option of working from home.

For most companies, remote working was introduced in March as an interim measure in response to the public health crisis. It was not intended as a long-term working arrangement for employees who might otherwise have to arrange childcare.

As life begins to return to some normality and creches around the county reopen, the expectation for many employers is that employees will return to pre-Covid-19 work arrangements.

They may, however, find themselves facing a situation where childcare is an issue that is thrust upon them to help resolve. Many will be wondering about their obligations and what they can and should, do to support employees in this regard.

There is no shortage of employment legislation protecting employees' rights and their health and safety in the workplace. The Employment Equality Acts, for example, prohibit discrimination, both direct and indirect, within the workplace. The Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act meanwhile, details employer's responsibilities to provide a safe place to work.

You can read the full article here.

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