Despite a worker-led labour market, employers are winning the remote-working battle 

The past 12 months have revealed a subtle shift in power which may have large consequences on the future of remote work

While there have been strong pushes towards further gender equality in the workforce with an increased emphasis on gender pay gaps and female leadership positions, an end to flexible working could carry the unintended consequences of putting additional pressure on mothers and further forcing women out of the workplace that only in the last few years has become increasingly more accessible.

It's been four years since the pandemic propelled workers into a new reality, with the closure of offices forcing both employers and employees to navigate a new environment centred around flexible and remote work. 

Leading the way on a European level, Ireland’s workforce has transitioned to hybrid working at a greater rate than any other country in the EU, with figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) reporting that the number of people working mainly from home increased by 173% between 2016 and 2022, from 94,955 workers to 259,467.