You may have seen the coverage in the media recently reporting cases of workers resisting a return to work post lockdown. We have also had a small number of enquiries about how to manage situations where staff, who are in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, are reluctant to return to work for fear of entering into new restrictions in January, or for any other reasons. Thankfully these cases are very rare and most people are very happy to return to work.
Minister Humphries spoke during the week to provide reassurance to workers that PUP will remain open for new claims until March 2021; any worker who returns to work, only to have the business closes again in the New Year, will be able to avail of the payment. The easiest way to close a claim for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is online via www.MyWelfare.ie. Any worker returning to work with an enquiry about closing their claim, can contact the Department’s dedicated income support helpline at 1890 800 024 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.
Any employer who has difficulty in attracting the workers back to the workplace, or suspects that someone is mis-claiming welfare income support can contact the Department at c19employerreports@welfare.ie; the Department will be happy to review cases where these complaints arise. Employers can be assured that officials in the Department will follow up on these notifications.
If an employer is seeking assistance in recruiting for vacant positions, the Employer Relations team will be happy to help; please email employer@welfare.ie to set out your requirements and we’ll be happy to help.