Employers need to take into account that workers' lives have been organised around working from home when asking them to return to the office this week, the Fórsa trade union has said.

This comes as employers are being urged by human resources experts to be "flexible" and "expect anxiety" from employees as businesses slowly start to move people back to the office.

From today, a return to physical attendance in workplaces can start on a phased basis, appropriate to each sector.

Speaking yesterday, Bernard Harbour of the Fórsa union said: "People have made the arrangements that they've made for childcare and other aspects of work-life balance. They'll need time to amend those if they're returning to the workplace."

Mr Harbour also told RTÉ News: "And also, every survey that's been taken over the last 18 months has showed that remote work is extremely popular among most people."

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Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan stated "All of us are aware of the need for continued vigilance and care to ensure the safety of ourselves and others. Fórsa will continue to work to guide and protect members in this latest phase of the pandemic."