STAFF AND UNION officials at Enterprise Ireland have expressed “significant” concern after learning that the semi-state wants to have them back in the office for the majority of the work week.

Under the plans, it’s understood some staff currently working primarily remotely may have to attend Enterprise Ireland’s Dublin office instead of one of the company’s nine regional offices.

The move is stirring tensions between management and staff, and comes shortly after a standoff at AIB over similar issues.

Enterprise Ireland confirmed to The Journal that it’s “continuing to evolve its approach to blended working” as it seeks to deliver a “world class service” to clients.

Management at Enterprise Ireland, which has roughly 750 employees, delivered the message shortly before Christmas.

However, the new plan would see staff work two days in the office with the flexibility getting scrapped.

From June, staff may be required to attend the office three days per week instead of the current two.

Staff who spoke to The Journal said this was particularly worrying, as they and their colleagues have had personal arrangements in place since the semi-state returned to the office in May 2022 following the pandemic.

Staff are represented by two unions in the workplace, Siptu and Unite.

It’s understood meetings are taking place among union officials and staff as they try and form a response to the measure.

One union source described frustration at the plans as they claimed that the leadership was trying to implement the measure in a “top-down” manner.

They currently work two days in the office weekly with the second day being flexible.

In its response to The Journal, a spokesperson for Enterprise Ireland said it was engaging with staff on “how the blended working model, both in Ireland and internationally will evolve” over the coming months.

The idea to bring remote staff based in the regions into the Dublin office has also caused anger, it is understood.

When asked on three occasions about this aspect of the plan, Enterprise Ireland declined to comment or to rule the move out.

“Since the onset of the Covid virus, Enterprise Ireland has operated a pilot blended working model across the organisation,” a spokesperson said.

“Enterprise Ireland is continuing to evolve its approach to blended working in line with the delivery of a world class service to clients and the needs of the organisation.”