Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic forced Ireland into lockdown, the country’s workforce continues to feel the impact of the shift to remote and hybrid work. What began as an emergency measure in March 2020 has evolved into a permanent transformation, redefining how businesses and employees approach work.
A Rapid Shift to Remote Work
On March 27, 2020, then-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced strict lockdown measures, permitting only essential workers to leave their homes for work. Initially intended as a short-term measure, restrictions persisted for months, fundamentally altering the workplace.
Professionals across various industries—teachers, accountants, architects, and executives—adapted to remote work, with video conferencing platforms like Zoom seeing a surge in demand. Damien McCarthy, managing director of HR consultancy HR Buddy, described the transition as an “incredible” learning curve for both employees and employers.
Des McCullough, a business development manager, recalled working from his kitchen table, highlighting the logistical challenges remote workers faced. “The idea of working from home seemed romantic, but the reality required structure and reliable infrastructure,” he said. Despite government claims of nationwide broadband access, many workers struggled with connectivity issues.
By 2022, a quarter of Ireland’s workforce was primarily remote, the highest rate in the EU. To support this shift, the government established the National Hub Network, which now includes 360 remote working hubs across the country. Spark Hub in Limerick, developed by the Limerick Enterprise Development Partnership (LEDP), is one such facility. LEDP CEO Niall O’Callaghan emphasized its role in providing an affordable, well-equipped workspace for remote professionals.
Generational Divide in the Workforce
While many employees embraced remote work, a new generation of workers—who studied remotely during the pandemic—faced challenges integrating into traditional office environments. Julie Ryan, deputy managing director of Harvest Resources, noted that Generation Z workers are digital natives accustomed to hybrid work but may lack social skills crucial for in-person interactions.
A study by Harvest Resources found a gap between employers’ expectations and young workers’ abilities to navigate social nuances, such as reading body language. Ryan emphasized that while younger employees possess strong digital skills, the pandemic has impacted face-to-face communication in the workplace.
The Future of Remote and Hybrid Work
Remote and hybrid work have become the norm, with job postings mentioning flexible work arrangements at record levels, according to a recent report from Indeed. Despite high-profile return-to-office policies from companies like Amazon and Dell, remote work remains in demand, with over 17% of Irish job listings offering such options.
However, there are signs of shifting trends. Dublin’s office market is rebounding, driven by falling vacancy rates and increased demand for premium office spaces. According to a recent Savills Ireland report, prime office rents in Dublin’s Central Business District have risen by 4% year-on-year.
At the same time, remote working hubs are seeing a decline in occupancy. Spark Hub, which had an 80% occupancy rate in its first year, has experienced a drop in demand. O’Callaghan attributed this to improved broadband access and changing corporate policies that require employees to return to the office more frequently.
A Lasting Transformation
Despite these shifts, HR experts believe remote and hybrid work are here to stay. “It’s never going back to how it was,” said McCarthy. He highlighted the benefits of flexible work arrangements, including improved work-life balance, expanded talent pools, and increased employee retention.
While the pandemic was a disruptive and challenging event, McCarthy believes Ireland’s workforce has emerged stronger. “We should give ourselves credit,” he said. “Workplaces are in a better place, and we are better prepared for the future.”
