As more employers continue to plan for the accelerated return to work of their employees, or employees have already returned to work, it is important that employers implement a proper and safe return to work and to remember that employees are still expected to stay at home if they can work remotely and do not need to return to the workplace.

A recent award under the Organisation of Working Time Act should be noted when the Adjudication Officer not only made and an award of €5,483.40 for annual leave accrued during long term sick leave, but a further €5,000 compensation for an employer's refusal to pay the leave when requested by an employee on termination of her employment. (Ref ADJ - 00025283)

As we approach a period of restructuring and potential redundancies due to the implications of Covid 19, employers should not forget that employees who are on maternity leave are entitled to return to the position held prior to going on maternity leave, or an equivalent post, on terms and conditions that are no less favourable. The decision reached in a recent equality case ADJ-000231830 serves as an useful reminder of how employees on maternity leave are protected.