The code will set out guidance for employees and employers with regard to best practice and approaches to employee disengagement outside normal working hours.

The WRC was asked by Tánaiste and Employment Minister Leo Varadkar to draw up the code of practice, which will, once approved by the minister, be admissible in evidence in proceedings before a court.

Mr Varadkar said: “We want remote working to become a bigger part of life after Covid-19. If done right, the benefits will be huge. However, it is vitally important that the existing rights and entitlements that employees enjoy are maintained and that an appropriate work-life balance is struck.”

He added: “Working from home has become the norm for many this past year and although technology has meant that we have been able to stay connected in a way that wasn’t possible years ago, it also has its downsides. This new code will help all workers strike a better balance between home and work life.”

Submissions to the consultation should be sent to the WRC by 5pm on 22 January 2021. They should be marked “Right to Disconnect” and sent to finbarr.kiely@workplacerelations.ie or by post to Finbarr Kiely, Workplace Relations Commission, Lansdowne House, Lansdowne Road, Dublin 4, D04A3A8.