logo
Viewpoint: Is Gen Z leading the charge back to the office?

Viewpoint: Is Gen Z leading the charge back to the office?

Business Post14-05-2025
Viewpoint
Viewpoint: Is Gen Z leading the charge back to the office?
Vish Gain and
Emma Hanrahan
12:36
The Business Post asked business leaders if they noticed this trend among younger workers, and if the Covid-19 pandemic may have driven a desire for more in-person contact.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

On average, people in Ireland are working less since the Covid-19 pandemic
On average, people in Ireland are working less since the Covid-19 pandemic

The Journal

timea day ago

  • The Journal

On average, people in Ireland are working less since the Covid-19 pandemic

A SHIFT TOWARDS remote working is likely to have contributed to a drop in average working hours since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a report from the Department of Finance. The report shows that Ireland's labour market has had a 'remarkable' recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and is actually in a stronger position than it was before, with employment at record highs in 2024. This has been driven by inward migration and increased participation in the labour market, with the increased participation largely coming from groups who traditionally have a lower attachment to the labour force, namely women and older workers. This expansion of the labour force has been tempered, however, by a decline in average hours worked. The report states that while further research is needed to find out the exact reasons for this decline, it suggests that it may be a result of remote working. Between 1998 and 2009, average hours worked declined consistently, falling by 13% from around 37 to 32 hours per week. However, the report states that it increased again after the economic crash, with average hours worked rising again over the decade that followed. Advertisement The bulk of this growth took place in the years leading up to the pandemic (2015-2019), with average hours worked increasing by 3.5%. This contrasts with other European countries, where average hours worked continued to decline in France, Germany, Italy and Spain during this period. Following the pandemic, average hours worked dropped significantly in the immediate aftermath, falling by over 7% in 2020. As the economy reopened, average hours worked did not recover and remained 7% below their 2019 level in 2024. The report states that, as a result, to get the same level of labour input now requires 7% more employees than before. Overall, however, total hours worked have increased by 10%during this period, with population growth and increased labour market participation offsetting the decline in average hours worked. Welcoming the report, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said: 'Just over five years ago, during the peak of the pandemic, the economic outlook was shrouded in uncertainty with large sections of our economy forced to shut down overnight. At that time, around 1.2 million people were dependent on the State for some form of income or job support, and there was a fear that the pandemic would leave lasting scars on our economy. 'Thankfully, that economic scarring was avoided. Today, the labour market is in a stronger position than before the pandemic with record levels of employment and an unemployment rate below 5 per cent for over three years. As this publication outlines, record levels of female labour force participation have made a significant contribution to our post-pandemic recovery.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal

HelloFresh shares fall after outlook cut
HelloFresh shares fall after outlook cut

RTÉ News​

timea day ago

  • RTÉ News​

HelloFresh shares fall after outlook cut

Shares in HelloFresh fell today after the German firm cut its outlook for the full year, blaming a strengthening euro and a decline in sales at its ready-to-eat business. The stock has lost 25% of its value since January and almost 90% since its August 2021 peak. The German meal-kit maker now expects its full year adjusted core profit (AEBITDA) to come between €415-465m, down from a previous range of €450-500m. In a statement, the firm said this reflects the euro rising more than expected against currencies such as the US dollar and the Canadian dollar compared to when the guidance was first provided earlier this year. The company makes more than 60% of its sales in North America, which means its revenue loses some of its value when converted into the European currency. A company compiled poll expects AEBITDA to come at €466m this year. HelloFresh had seen a change in demand from customers cooking meals from scratch during the Covid-19 pandemic to preferring ready meals they only need to reheat after a day in the office. It responded by producing more ready to eat (RTE) goods. But, in the RTE business, second quarter revenue fell by almost 6% from a year ago. The Berlin based company also said it is extending its share buy-back programme by up to €100m to a total of up to €175m and to extend its duration until no later than December, 31 2026.

Paschal Donohoe: The resilience of Irish enterprise and our workforce will see us through hard times
Paschal Donohoe: The resilience of Irish enterprise and our workforce will see us through hard times

Irish Independent

timea day ago

  • Irish Independent

Paschal Donohoe: The resilience of Irish enterprise and our workforce will see us through hard times

Economy shut down overnight with the pandemic, but we have bounced back and will again despite uncertain economic times Despite a naturally optimistic outlook, I feared at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic just over five years ago that its impact would leave lasting economic scars on jobs in Ireland. Entire sectors of our economy had shut down overnight and the outlook was deeply uncertain. At that time, close to half the labour force – or around 1.2 million people – were dependent on the State for some form of income or job support. That economic scarring never materialised. In a few years, the Irish economy experienced an extraordinary recovery in employment. Today, over 2.8 million people are in work in our country – more people than ever before – up by 440,000 compared with the pre-pandemic level.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store