As an employer, you cannot pause your contributions to your employees' pension scheme. Every occupational pension scheme requires employers to contribute at least 1% (Ireland) or 3% (UK) of their employees' salary. The most you can do is reduce the percentage to these minimums. Or, in the specific case of Irish pension schemes, you could take the drastic decision of permanently closing your pension scheme.

On the other hand, employees have greater flexibility. They are allowed to pause their pension contributions (though for a limited period in the UK), and they can action that directly from Kota's mobile app, or, in the case of UK pension schemes, from Smart Pension's online platform.