Remote working during COVID-19: Ireland’s national survey initial report

Abstract

Introduction & Background The COVID-19 crisis catapulted hundreds of thousands of employees and their employers into a work pattern and routine vastly different to their normal daily work experience. This radical change happened suddenly and for the vast majority the change effectively occurred overnight. While some employees have experience of remote working, many find themselves working remotely having had little time to plan, negotiate, organise and set-up remote working in conjunction with their employer and manager. NUI Galway and the Western Development Commission (WDC) undertook a national survey in Ireland to gather data on employees’ experiences of remote working in these unprecedented times. The survey gathered empirical evidence and data to address the following questions: 1. How are employees adjusting to remote working, what is going well and what changes would employees suggest? 2. How is remote working impacting employee productivity? 3. What are employees remote working preferences post-COVID-19? 4. What lessons can be learned about remote working that could be retained/sustained post-COVID-19? This report presents the initial findings from the national survey.