Ibec has said that how the return to work is managed is best left "at the level of the business and the individuals involved" once the advice is clarified by Government.
Its chief executive Danny McCoy said that current advice allows for a staggered and phased return to the workplace and any change to that needs to be communicated by the Government.
He said that unless the situation is very grave, there is no need for all workers to continue to work from home. Risk assessments do need to continue along with other Covid-19 protocols, regardless of what happens on 22 October, he added.
Mr McCoy said there is a role for antigen testing in the initial return to work, saying "it is remarkable that we haven't used it more in our society".