Considerable interest in HSE ‘blended working’ circular

A HSE circular on blended working policy was the “most visited” page on the Executive’s staff website, heard a meeting of the HSE people and culture committee.

The HSE Blended Working Policy for the Public Health Service came into effect on 20 December 2022. It also covers employees in section
38 agencies.

Any blended working agreement should include an initial trial period, according to the HSE’s policy. The policy states that the trial period should last no less than three months and no more than six months. The approval of any blended working arrangement is at the discretion of management.

At the people and culture committee meeting in March, there was a general discussion on internal communications within the Executive. During this discussion, committee members were told that there was much online interest in the
new policy.

“It was noted that the recently published circular on blended working policy was the most visited web page on the HSE [staff] site,” according to the minutes.

The circular in question, dated 20 December, was written by the HSE National Director of Human Resources Ms Anne Marie Hoey.

The circular noted that “no employee should work 100 per cent remotely”.

“An employee has the option to apply for blended working, but there is no requirement on employees to avail of blended working arrangements regardless of the nature of their role,” according to the circular.