In a pivotal decision that highlights employers’ obligations under Ireland’s remote working legislation, tech giant Salesforce has been ordered to pay €1,000 in compensation to an employee after failing to respond to a remote work request within the statutory timeframe. This is the first successful complaint under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, and it carries significant implications for employers across Ireland.

Working from home has its pros and cons; meetings with clients that don’t require 6am alarms and you might be able to play with the kids on your lunch break. That said, we must remember that working from home doesn’t necessarily mean that you can wear your pjs for that 9am meeting or forget about personal grooming.

The introduction of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 has brought significant change for employers across Ireland. For the first time, employees have a statutory right to request remote working, and employers are legally required to respond in line with clear procedures and timelines.