Working Time: That Was Then, This is Now

As part of Legal Island's 25th Anniversary series, we are exploring how the work environment has changed since Working Time Regulations were introduced in ROI in 1997 and NI in 1998. At the time, laws on maximum working hours and breaks were progressive and hailed as a way to increase employee efficiency while protecting wellbeing. But have we gone too far?

Now employers are struggling to attract and retain talent, with the CIPD reporting 51% of employees have flexibility in their current roles. As the business landscape continues to evolve, it is increasingly clear remote work, flexible schedules, and employee well-being are more important than ever. With the government supporting the