Irish Workers Reminded of Legal Right to Disconnect During Annual Leave by ICTU

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has reminded Irish workers of their legal right to disconnect from work while on annual leave this summer.

As summer holidays approach, unions emphasize that employees on annual leave are entitled to fully disengage from work and should not face penalties for doing so. Laura Bambrick, ICTU social policy officer, stated, «Nobody should feel they have to be checking emails from the beach, or joining a Zoom meeting during a family trip to the zoo.»

The Workplace Relations Committee (WRC) recognized elements of a right to disconnect in its 2021 code of practice. This code affirms the right not to work outside normal working hours, which includes protection from contact during annual leave. Furthermore, workers cannot be penalized for refusing to address work matters outside these hours, including while on holiday. Employers are advised against routinely contacting employees outside their standard working hours, particularly when they are on annual leave.

Bambrick highlighted that an expectation to «check in» erodes essential downtime, undermining an employee’s rest and recuperation, and ultimately impacting their health and safety. She asserted that individuals work diligently throughout the year and are entitled to uninterrupted time off, adding that this duty is reciprocal. Bambrick urged colleagues not on leave to «think twice before firing off a message to a colleague who is,» explaining that while a quick email may seem harmless, it creates pressure on the recipient during their holiday. Workers feeling pressured to remain available while on leave are encouraged to contact their union or the WRC.