On Deise Today, Damien was joined by Dublin-based employment solicitor Richard Grogan who answered a number of questions on Covid and the workplace.

This has now become a huge grey area, as people with positive antigen tests struggle to get PCRs, and close contacts have to stay at home, but for varying lengths of time depending on levels of vaccination etc.

Damien asked Richard Grogan if he thinks there's enough clarity in terms of the crossover between employment legislation, health and safety legislation, and Covid legislation. Richard said quite simply, there is not.

He said employers are "at sea" over what to do in terms of legislation and Covid. He advised that anyone with staff who's unsure should contact a local TD and get a simple document outlining all the differing variables that apply to when people should isolate, and for how long etc.

Richard added that this issue is now dragging on for nearly two years, and there's still huge confusion.

Damien put a number of real-life scenarios to Richard, that were sent into him by listeners. For example, are people only on official sick leave if they get a PCR test? In answer to that question, Richard said employees can put in an official complaint to the HSA (through its website) if they're made come into work with a positive antigen test, a scenario which he describes as "completely negligent."

Damien also put forward opposite scenarios where people are told NOT to come to work by employers, and Richard also addressed whether you're entitled to sick leave as a close contact (you are not). He also looked at whether people who have Covid should work from home.

Have a listen in the link here to the full interview with Damien and Richard, where many questions are answered.

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