Ireland’s largest public sector trade union, Fórsa, is set to present new research today highlighting the benefits of remote and hybrid working arrangements to the National Economic and Social Council (NESC), the Government’s advisory body to the Taoiseach.
The presentation comes as part of a wider NESC study requested by the Department of the Taoiseach in 2025, which is examining the development, impact and long-term implications of remote and blended working practices across Ireland’s workforce.
Fórsa will share findings from what it describes as the most extensive study of remote working to date, originally presented at its annual conference in May. The research draws on large-scale survey data from Amárach Research, covering close to 20,000 public service workers, including more than 5,000 managers, along with additional surveys and focus group insights conducted by Ireland Thinks.
According to the findings, flexible working arrangements are producing measurable improvements in both productivity and employee wellbeing. Reduced commuting time emerged as one of the most significant advantages, alongside increased efficiency and lower work-related expenses.
The study also found that concerns about productivity loss in remote environments are limited. Just 6% of managers reported difficulties meeting deadlines in remote or hybrid settings. In contrast, managers expressed higher satisfaction levels with communication, collaboration and the effectiveness of meetings among teams working flexibly.
Financial benefits were also highlighted. Nearly half of respondents said flexible working had reduced their overall care-related expenses, particularly childcare costs. Many also reported savings on transport and fuel, reflecting the reduced need for daily commuting.
Fórsa Campaigns Director Kevin Donoghue said the evidence reflects a consistent trend since the widespread shift to remote work during the pandemic period.
“Six years on from the shift to remote working, which was a huge overnight experiment, the evidence is consistent,” he said. “People are getting more done and working in ways that are more sustainable for them.”
He added that the findings show flexible working is not only beneficial for employees but also supports more efficient organisational performance across the public sector.
The research is expected to feed into ongoing national policy discussions on the future of work, as Government and advisory bodies assess how hybrid working models can be integrated into long-term workforce planning.
