Getting Back to Work: How Employee Attitudes are Changing in Ireland after COVID-19

Summary 

Employee attitudes are changing after the COVID-19 pandemic, which came like a bolt out of the blue. Work-life balance is a big part of Ireland’s hybrid work culture now. This article highlights how corporate industries are changing attitudes towards job responsibilities, time management, absenteeism, and sick leave policies for minor illnesses.

Introduction

There is a bit of nuisance in the common phrase "getting “back to work.” Some HR managers and employers frequently use this phrase when they refer to returning to the office following lockdowns rather than working from home. 

It wasn’t a hiatus to be working from home—WFH–the new normal. 

It wasn’t a holiday period either. 

In fact, employees at WFH practically have more things to do!

Remote Working Trends And Adopting Technology

A recent study published in the Irish Times revealed that Ireland is way ahead as a country that has adopted “remote working” trends compared to other European countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and Malta. Employees are recorded to have an approximate 45%-47% higher productivity level while WFH than WFO (working from the office). 

The rapid shift to digital processes involved in remote working, be it enterprise-level or in the employee’s personal life, has impacted their attitude and approach towards work, life, and both.

• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to keep HR management and workflow management in a more centralised manner. 

• Online communication platforms like Zoom and Skype make it easier for teams to have a group meeting or conference without visiting the country. 

• Cloud-based collaboration tools like Google Workspace reduce jargon or the need to send one file multiple times to multiple people

• Telehealth platforms like Get Sick Cert allow employees to obtain sick note from GP through their smartphones and PCs to get approval for sick leaves. 

According to the EY Global 2022 Work Reimagined Survey, which was conducted across 26 industry domains in 22 different countries, over 75% of employers agree that hybrid working is a key component for developing a top-down corporate structure, even though most of the employees fail to see the change. With competitive labour markets and fewer geographic barriers to entry, more and more employees are developing the view that a combination of job roles, payouts, and flexibility of work is highly expected. 

The Attitude Towards Employee Retention And Recruiting New Talent

EY Global 2022 Work Reimagined Survey reports show that over 43% of employees are more inclined to change their current jobs in the coming year and leave their current employer. 

Millennials are well into their 30s now, and leaving a job is not always about finding another one. Sometimes, it is also about setting up their own business or simply the big dream of early retirement. 

When it comes to leaving the employer or organization, however, the attitude can change with more flexible working shifts. Remote working is an attractive feature for organizations to both retain existing employees and attract new talent. Serious and ambitious workers feel more trusted and valued when they are allowed to WFH, and it saves them a great deal of hassle, whether it is about commuting or making time for childcare or household chores. 

sick notes for work, also known as medical certificates or doctor's notes, play a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of employees and maintaining workplace productivity. When an employee falls ill and is unable to fulfill their job responsibilities, they can obtain a sick note from their healthcare provider. These notes serve as formal documentation, verifying the employee's illness and justifying their absence from work. Employers rely on sick notes to manage their workforce effectively, granting employees the time they need to recover and preventing the spread of contagious illnesses within the workplace. Sick notes for work are a vital tool for fostering a healthy work environment and promoting the physical and mental health of employees.

Healthcare And Sick Leave Policies 

According to the survey on Ireland’s HR practises in 2023, conducted by the prestigious Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), some of the vital aspects of life impact people’s attitudes towards their work at a moment of crisis. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased worries about one’s health and access to health care. But there are other concerns too, such as the nation's impending housing crisis, increased cost of living, and ease of healthcare access. 

The concerns have been a precursor to the sanctioning of the Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Scheme. Which is now in effect. As the year 2023 enters its fourth quarter, it's about time for the leave tenure to update. Now, all Irish employees have a legal entitlement to three days' statutory sick pay (the legal minimum) every year between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023. With or without any current sick leave policies in place. This year, you could claim at least 70% of your weekly or monthly income, up to a maximum of €110 each day. From next year, the compensation will be increased to include up to four days of paid sick leave. 

You are entitled to sick pay even if you are: on probation, undergoing training (interns), an apprentice, or an agency worker. To qualify, you must: be an employee (have worked at least 13 continuous weeks) and be certified by a GP as unable to work. The changing attitude towards healthcare and wellbeing also helps spread awareness about work-life balance and positive work processes. Whether you are WFH or WFO, the workplace, either onsite or online, is a place to grow and sustain, making good use of time, resources, and relationships. 

Author

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