Essential Workers’ Experience of Work during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ireland

Abstract

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The Covid-19 Pandemic led to profound changes in people’s working lives. While there has been considerable commentary and speculation as to the nature of these changes, we have little reliable evidence as to how and to what extent the pandemic reshaped work in Ireland and with what consequences for workers’ job quality and well-being.

A new study led by Professor John Geary of University College Dublin and that includes Dr Maria Belizon (formerly of UCD and now at Comillas Universidad Pontificia, Madrid) and researchers from the Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI) address this gap in our knowledge by conducting a major survey of workers (both employed and self-employed) in Ireland.

The fieldwork for the UCD Working in Ireland Survey (WIIS) 2021 was undertaken by Ipsos MRBI between May and August 2021. A nationally representative sample of 2,076 of working people aged 16 and over participated in the survey. As it was not possible to carry out in-person interviews at the time, the survey was administered over the (mobile) phone by using a random digit dial methodology. Respondents were asked a series of screening questions to ensure they qualified for the research including age and employment status.

A series of first findings papers have now been prepared that address a variety of topics that relate to the quality of work in Ireland during this period. Please see the adjoining pages to access these reports.