The Lifting of COVID-19 Restrictions
March 4, 2022
The Government announced that as of 28th February 2022 the wearing of face masks in public or retail operations are no longer mandatory (although still should be worn on public transport and in healthcare settings, and for 10 days following a positive Covid-19 test).
As restrictions are lifted and face coverings and social distancing are now a personal choice, it is important to remind our staff to be mindful of those around them.
We should ensure that staff are reminded to maintain a safe environment where those who feel uncomfortable or more vulnerable are able to express their feelings to their colleagues, for example, if they ask to have more space or for a colleague to wear a face-covering when in close proximity.
We suggest employers advise staff to consider wearing one in crowded indoor spaces where they may come into contact with people they do not normally meet.
For employers who remain concerned about the removal of mask-wearing and who wish to enforce the wearing of masks, they should ensure to revisit their health and safety risk assessments. It is possible that mask-wearing may still be identified as a necessary form of personal protective equipment to protect the safety and welfare of certain individuals, for example, immunocompromised individuals. However, this should be carefully assessed and considered before deciding to do so, as it may be difficult to justify if challenged, why the employer believes it is compulsory when the public health bodies have said otherwise. It remains to be seen how issues of this nature will be addressed and they are likely to throw up legal issues down the line.
In the meantime, the priority for employers is to keep their staff and customers safe. In line with this, they should remind employees about the general protective measures that are going to remain in place:
- Government advice for people over the age of 13, is to wear a medical-grade mask or FFP2 for 10 days after a positive result.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow, or with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the bin.
- Clean and disinfect all frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Make yourself aware of the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and monitor your own wellbeing.
- Do not go to work if you are displaying signs or symptoms of COVID-19 or if feeling unwell and follow Government guidance on the same.
PCR Tests/ Isolation Periods
- PCR tests will only be recommended for certain symptomatic people, including those aged over 55, those with a high-risk medical condition, and those who are immunocompromised.
- Symptomatic people who live in the same house or who support people who are immunocompromised - as well as pregnant women – will also be required to take PCR tests if they have symptoms of Covid-19.
- The requirement to isolate after a positive Covid-19 case remains in place. Public health advice is to self-isolate until 48 hours after symptoms resolve, with no PCR requirement.
- Close contacts with no symptoms no longer need a test, nor need to isolate, unless they are a Healthcare worker who is a household close contact.
- All those with a positive test result, PCR or antigen, should isolate for a minimum of 7 days
- Those with symptoms should isolate for 7 days from the date of onset of symptoms
- Those without symptoms should isolate for 7 days from the date of the first positive test (PCR or antigen)
- Ending of self-isolation after 7 days is on the basis that symptoms have substantially or fully resolved for the final 2 of those 7 days
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At MSS The HR People, we often get asked, “What exactly is HR advice?” It’s a great question — and one that cuts right to the heart of what we do every day for our clients. What Is HR Advice? HR advice is professional guidance provided to employers and managers on how to manage people in the workplace. Whether you run a small business with a handful of employees or are a scaling SME with growing staffing needs, the right HR support can help you stay compliant, avoid costly mistakes, and build a high-performing team. In this blog, we’ll break down what HR employer advice actually is, how to know when you need it, and what your options are for getting the right professional HR support - without hiring a full-time HR manager. It spans everything from recruitment and onboarding to performance management, employee relations, and employment law compliance. Good HR advice helps businesses stay compliant, make informed decisions, and avoid costly pitfalls. But more than that — great HR advice is practical, proactive, and tailored to your business needs. Types of HR Advice We Offer At MSS The HR People, we support clients with a broad range of HR issues. These include: Employee Relations – Managing grievances, disciplinaries, investigations, or conflict resolution. Performance & Conduct – Supporting managers with underperformance, absenteeism, or behavioural issues. Contracts & Policies – Drafting or reviewing contracts, handbooks, and HR policies to ensure legal compliance. HR Compliance – Advising on employment law updates and how to implement them in your business. Probation & Onboarding – Helping clients manage probation periods effectively and set new hires up for success. Redundancy & Restructuring – Providing guidance through challenging workforce changes. Everyday Queries – Whether it’s questions on annual leave entitlements, sick pay, or flexible working, no query is too small. What Do Clients Typically Contact Us For? Clients contact us when they: Need a second opinion or a clear interpretation of employment legislation. Are unsure how to approach a difficult conversation or situation. Want to ensure their HR practices are fair, consistent, and legally compliant. Are looking to reduce HR risk while improving employee engagement and culture. Have already worked out an approach and just want quick validation or a sounding board before taking action. Simply want quick, professional HR advice on tap. Why Is HR Advice Important? Irish employment legislation is constantly evolving - with updates to minimum wage, statutory sick pay entitlements, and gender pay gap reporting introduced so far this year – and it’s only April! Business owners are expected to keep up with these changes, ensure compliance, and handle any workplace issues appropriately. Getting it wrong can be costly. A poorly handled disciplinary, a missing contract, or a misstep during a redundancy process can result in: WRC (Workplace Relations Commission) complaints Penalties or fines Damaged reputation Low staff morale or high turnover HR advice ensures you don’t fall into these traps. Instead, it gives you the confidence to act decisively and fairly - whether you’re growing your team or managing a tough issue. How Do I Know If I Need HR Advice? Here are some of the most common signs that your business needs HR support: 1. You're Hiring or Growing Your Team Bringing on employees is a big step for any business. It’s important to have compliant employment contracts, solid onboarding processes, and clear expectations. If you're unsure where to start or want to do things right from the get-go, expert HR advice can set you up for success. 2. You Don’t Have Written HR Policies All employers should have clear policies in place such as an employee handbook, disciplinary procedure, grievance policy, absence management, and remote working guidelines. If you don’t have these in writing (or haven’t updated them in years), it’s time to get professional help. 3. You're Dealing with a Staff Issue If you're facing challenges like persistent absenteeism, underperformance, or conflict between employees, it can be difficult to know how to handle it correctly. HR consultants can guide you through fair processes, help you document everything, and reduce your legal risk. 4. You Want to Avoid a WRC Complaint If you’ve had a close call - or just want to make sure you're doing everything by the book - getting HR advice is a proactive way to protect your business and reduce the chance of ending up in front of the WRC. Not all HR support is created equal however, so it’s important to work with a provider who delivers straightforward, practical advice tailored to your business size and sector. The best HR Advice providers take a proactive (not just reactive) approach, providing practical tools like compliant templates, letters, and policies, along with training or coaching for managers when needed. Depending on your needs and budget, there are several ways to access HR support. One-off HR advice is ideal if you're dealing with a specific issue, such as a staff dispute or restructure, and need expert guidance. An HR health check or audit is a smart starting point if you're unsure about compliance, offering a full review of your contracts, policies, and procedures with a clear action plan. For ongoing peace of mind, many businesses opt for outsourced HR support, giving them access to expert advice without the cost of hiring in-house. Retained HR consultancy offers regular, tailored support for businesses that are growing or managing complex employee relations on an ongoing basis. How to Get Started Start by assessing your current situation. Do you need help with a one-off issue, like a disciplinary meeting? Or are you looking for ongoing HR support for your business? Make a list of your concerns: lack of policies, recruitment headaches, managing performance, or dealing with absence or sick leave. The more clarity you have, the more focused your consultant’s advice can be. Ready to Take the Headache Out of HR? As we have identified, getting HR advice isn’t just about avoiding fines - it’s about creating a better place to work, retaining great talent, and freeing you up to focus on growing your business. At MSS – The HR People, we offer expert HR support for employers that’s clear, compliant, and commercial. From one-off consultations to fully outsourced solutions, we’re here to help you get HR right. Ready to get started or just want to have a quick chat about your HR challenges? Contact us today to arrange a free discovery call. Whether you’re an SME owner, a manager navigating a tricky staff issue, or an organisation looking to strengthen your HR framework, MSS The HR People is here to help.
