State must increase tax breaks for home workers

A group of Galway academics and experts has called on the Government to introduce a range of incentives to facilitate the continued move towards remote working – starting with additional tax relief.

The group – led by NUIG’s Whitaker Institute and the Western Development Commission – wants a review of the current €3.20 daily eWorking Allowance, so that it takes accounts of the costs and savings of remote working for both the employee and the employer.

For organisations, the group recommends the key need for leadership in supporting remote working. This will mean visible leadership from senior leaders in supporting remote workers – particularly in a mix of onsite and remote to avoid an approach that disadvantages those working remotely in terms of career development and opportunity.

The findings also tie in with two national remote working surveys already carried out during 2020.

The most recent data from October found that, among those who can work remotely, 94% were in favour of working remotely on an on-going basis for some or all the time.

The majority of those, 54%, said they would like to work remotely several times a week, 27% said five days a week and 13% said several times a month.

The expert group, chaired by WDC CEO Tomás Ó Síocháin, wants to see the Government to lead awareness campaigns on health and safety guidance and working time legislation.

It says that the Government should explore extending the right to request flexible working to all workers whose work can be completed remotely for some or all of time.

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