Irish HR and Employment Law Developments

Disability remains the most cited reason for discrimination claims under the Employment Equality Act, according to the WRC’s most recent Annual Report. For employers and HR professionals, failing to manage accommodations or disability-related absences isn’t just tricky—it’s risky and expensive. Join Sinead Morgan , Legal Director at DAC Beachcroft, for a practical 45-minute session where she break...

Research by Matrix Recruitment shows 88% of workers say bullying and harassment remains a serious problem in Irish workplaces. Handling allegations of bullying and harassment is one of the most testing parts of the HR role, particularly when emotions are high and everyone is watching what you do next. Mishandling complaints can escalate issues, harm morale, and even trigger a tribunal. Dr Gerry Mc...

Winter is coming and so are the coughs, colds and caring emergencies. As HR professionals know all too well, this is the season when requests for time off multiply: “My child’s sick again”, “Mum’s had a fall”, “I need time for a doctor’s appointment”. But which type of leave actually applies? Force majeure? Compassionate? Parental? Carer’s? It can feel like an alphabet soup of entitlements and one...

Ireland’s new auto-enrolment scheme is going live and for HR teams, that means real changes to contracts, payroll, and how you communicate with staff. Yet, as RTÉ recently reported, 1 in 4 organisations still haven’t begun preparing. So, ask yourself: is your organisation ready? Or just hoping it all falls into place? Whether you're well underway or just getting started, this short, focused w...

President Donald Trump issued executive orders rolling back DEI efforts across the US, which contributed to job cuts in the public sector and prompted some companies to reconsider their diversity policies. Major corporations - including Meta, McDonald's, and Bank of America - have adjusted their DEI strategies, scaling back public diversity targets and shifting towards ‘merit-based’ hiring pr...

Bullying and harassment remain pressing issues in Ireland, with nearly 1 in 3 workers experiencing them firsthand according to Matrix Recruitment’s recent study: Workplace Equality Report. Despite complaints being raised to HR or senior leaders, only 20% felt they were resolved promptly and discreetly. This begs the question, are the current Codes of Practice enough? Laura McKee , Knowledge Partne...

Ever wondered why your top talent is heading for the exit? The answer might be closer than you think. Our webinar uncovers the pitfalls of 'accidental managers'—those well-meaning but undertrained leaders who are costing your organisation its best people. Fortune magazine reported 66% of managers are defined as ‘accidental managers’ and in this webinar, Caroline Reidy of the HR Suite and...

As HR professionals, ensuring an inclusive and supportive workplace is a fundamental responsibility. A recent Irish survey conducted by Red C on behalf of Bank of Ireland revealed that almost 1 in 10 adults in Ireland identify as neurodivergent, yet only half of neurodivergent employees have disclosed their condition to their employer. Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in how the huma...

As HR professionals, safeguarding the well-being of our employees is a paramount responsibility. Unfortunately, domestic abuse is an issue that affects many; in 2023, more than 54,000 domestic abuse complaints were made to An Garda Síochána, marking an 8% rise compared to the previous year. Domestic abuse and its repercussions often extend into the workplace, impacting productivity, morale, and ov...

Duncan Inverarity of A&L Goodbody LLP and Legal Island’s Victoria Smith give you a sneak preview of the issues you need to be aware of to future-proof your organisation. Duncan provides his expert insights on what legal issues employers will need to deal with in 2024/25. We give you the inside scoop on the Annual Review and reveal some of the topics and experts who’ll be joining us! But most i...

Industry experts Ryan Calvert and Rebekah Mulligan from MCS, alongside Julie Holmes from Legal Island, explore the latest recruitment trends – and the path to building diverse, inclusive teams. While diversity is pivotal, it's just the beginning of the journey towards true inclusivity. Learn how to kickstart this journey by establishing a robust talent pipeline, then go further by fostering a...

1 in 5 workers in Ireland had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace according to a 2019 survey conducted by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). Many conveyed that they did not report these incidents due to fears of retaliation or job loss.  Similarly, the Workplace Relations Commission acknowledges there is an underreporting of incidents, with many employees citing that they distru...

In this insightful free webinar, delivered by the new CEO of included, Michelle Sequira, we’ll be examining the pressing DEI challenges of 2024 and sharing the latest advice and guidance on actionable strategies to overcome them.   "Beyond Barriers: Top DEI Challenges in 2024 and How to Solve Them," is designed for business leaders, HR professionals, and DEI advocates who are committed t...

Caroline Reidy , Managing Director of the HR Suite, and Julie Holmes from Legal Island, delve into the latest HR trends and developments specifically tailored for the Irish landscape. Are you ready to enhance your skills and tackle workplace investigations with confidence? In this webinar you'll gain insights into managing investigations in line with best practice. Discover how to streamline...

Emer Murphy and Andrew Desmond from A&L Goodbody LLP and Julie Holmes from Legal Island, discuss practical advice to ensure GDPR compliance in your workplace. From data protection intricacies to implementing effective safeguards, our expert-led webinar will empower you with the knowledge needed to protect sensitive data. In this webinar, Emer, Andrew and Julie will discuss: How advances in tec...

Have you ever swiped on your social media to read a post that makes you squirm or cringe? What if it is connected to someone in your workplace? What if the post then goes viral?   You're not alone. In today's digital era, HR professionals and business leaders are often confronted with such challenging scenarios. Social media's impact is undeniable, both personally and professionally...

Digital transformation expert Kieran Gilmurray shares the ten steps you need to take to implement AI successfully in your HR department and beyond. From setting clear business objectives to expanding AI into every relevant HR area and business role, and much more in between. 

Julie Holmes from Legal Island and Ryan Calvert , Head of Human Resources, Sales and Marketing Recruitment from MCS, provide an annual recruitment wrap-up, where Ryan delved into the latest recruitment trends in roles, pay and sector differentiators. Essential viewing to stay up-to-date with recruitment insights to gain a competitive edge in the talent market. By understanding the latest trends an...

In this month's webinar Caroline Reidy, Managing Director of the HR Suite, and Julie Holmes of Legal Island, discuss the crucial topic of employee wellbeing during the festive season including: Addressing challenging weather scenarios when they impact your workforce Supporting employees with sensitive issues like domestic violence Get ready to expertly manage your company's Christmas cel...

We explore the journey of the Adjudication Service of Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) since its establishment to now. Undoubtedly, the WRC has in the last 3 years gone through its most challenging period and is entering a new era in its adjudicative model. In this podcast, we directly from an Adjudication Officer on best practice for respondents who are coming before the WRC’s Adjudication Se...

Do you believe that a workplace culture rooted in dignity and respect is the cornerstone of organisational success? In today's rapidly evolving world, nurturing an environment that fosters dignity and respect has never been more crucial. It not only empowers employees but also drives productivity, engagement, and innovation. Julie Holmes, Knowledge Partner at Legal Island, and Caroline Reidy,...

In this month's webinar with the HR Suite, Caroline Reidy, Managing Director of the HR Suite provides insights on workplace investigations". When issues such as harassment, discrimination, misconduct, or conflicts arise, HR professionals must conduct thorough and unbiased investigations to address these matters appropriately. Investigators must employ critical thinking, ethical considera...

Do you think a WRC discrimination claim won’t happen to your organisation? If it does, are you prepared? According to the 2023 Workplace Equality Survey, by Matrix Recruitment, a staggering one in five have said they have both witnessed and been a victim of discrimination in the workplace. Nearly 500 employment equality complaints were received by the WRC in the first half of 2023, with disability...

Absence Management and the Introduction of SSP with The HR Suite Legal Island’s webinars and podcasts are sponsored by MCS Group, MCS help people find careers that match their skill sets perfectly, as well as supporting employers to build high performing businesses by connecting them with the most talented candidates in the market. If you are interested in finding out how MCS can help you, head to...

Join Rolanda Markey and HR & Employment Law expert Caroline Reidy, Managing Director of the HR Suite as they discuss your employment law queries.  In this podcast Caroline will discuss the current topical challenges being encountered in complying with the Code of Practice for Employers and Employees on the Prevention and Resolution of Bullying at Work. Legal Island’s webinars and podcasts are...