News
The Illusion of Choice: The Commercial Realities of Ireland’s New Pensions Auto-Enrolment Regime
Ireland's new pensions auto-enrolment scheme, My Future Fund, marks one of the biggest changes to workplace pensions in decades. While many employers see it as simply another payroll deduction, the reality is far more complex. Auto-enrolment introduces new legal obligations, increased payroll responsibilities and ongoing compliance requirements that businesses cannot afford to overlook. Many employers believe they have flexibility in how they implement the new scheme. They assume they can continue with their existing payroll processes, rely entirely on their payroll provider or use an existing workplace pension without making any changes. In reality, the legislation leaves far less room [...]
The Misclassification Trap: Navigating Revenue’s Contractor Audits and the Platform Workers Directive
Many Irish businesses rely on contractors, consultants and freelancers to remain agile, access specialist skills and manage fluctuating workloads. In many cases, these arrangements are entirely legitimate. However, as contractor relationships evolve over time, the distinction between self-employment and employment can become blurred. This is becoming an increasingly important issue for employers. The Irish Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection have stepped up their focus on worker classification, carrying out more audits and investigations to ensure businesses are meeting their tax and employment law obligations. At the same time, the EU Platform Workers Directive reflects a wider move [...]
Rejecting Remote Work: The Legal Pitfalls Under the WRC Code of Practice
Since March 2024, employees in Ireland have had a statutory right to request remote working. While employers can refuse requests, they must follow the process set out in the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 and the WRC Code of Practice. Many employers focus on whether they can reject a request. The greater risk lies in how that decision is made, documented, and communicated. A flawed process can lead to a WRC complaint even where the refusal itself is justified. What Is the Right to Request Remote Work? The legislation gives employees the right to request remote working. [...]
The Article 7 Trigger: Are You Ready for Employee Pay Requests?
The EU Pay Transparency Directive will introduce significant changes for Irish employers. One of the most important is Article 7, which gives employees the right to request information about pay levels within their organisation. Many employers are focused on Gender Pay Gap Reporting. However, Article 7 creates a direct employee right that can expose gaps in pay structures, documentation and decision-making processes. What Is Article 7? Article 7 of the EU Pay Transparency Directive gives employees the right to request pay information from their employer. The aim is to improve transparency and help identify potential equal pay concerns before they [...]
The Pay Transparency Toolkit: How Irish Employers Can Prepare for the New EU Pay Transparency Rules
The EU Pay Transparency Directive is changing how Irish employers manage salaries, recruitment, and equal pay compliance. Although Ireland is introducing the rules in phases, employers already face higher scrutiny and greater legal exposure. This guide explains the latest 2026 guidance, the EIGE toolkit, the shift in equal pay liability, and the practical HR steps businesses in Ireland can take now. What Is the EU Pay Transparency Directive? The EU Pay Transparency Directive introduces new rules designed to improve pay fairness and reduce gender pay gaps across the EU. The directive increases employer accountability and gives workers stronger rights to [...]
Retention at Risk: Why the January Wage Increase is Biting Now
Four months into 2026, the initial administrative rush of the €14.15 minimum wage increase has evolved into a "pay squeeze" threatening staff loyalty as entry-level wages close the gap on experienced roles. In an April market where specialist talent remains highly selective and candidate intent to move remains high, ignoring this 'pay compression' is a direct threat to retention. Entry-level pay now sits closer to supervisory salaries, creating tension and gaps in expectations. This article breaks down pay compression, its business impact, and how structured salary reviews support stability and retention. What Causes Pay Compression After Minimum Wage Increases Pay [...]
EU Platform Workers Directive in Ireland: What Employers Need to Know Before 2026
The EU Platform Workers Directive will significantly change how organisations classify contractors and gig workers across Europe. Many organisations rely on contractors, freelancers, or platform workers to deliver services. Under the upcoming EU Platform Workers Directive, some of these workers may legally be treated as employees unless the business can prove genuine self-employment. Employers who fail to assess these arrangements risk tax liabilities, employment claims, and regulatory scrutiny. What Is the EU Platform Workers Directive The Platform Workers Directive is new EU legislation designed to regulate work performed through digital platforms. Examples of platform work include services arranged through: Ride-hailing [...]
Mandatory Retirement After 65 in Ireland: What the New Law Requires Employers to Do
Mandatory retirement clauses remain common in Irish employment contracts, but recent legal changes have altered their operation in practice. The Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act now requires employers to justify retirement decisions through an individual assessment process. Businesses that continue to rely on automatic retirement clauses risk disputes at the Workplace Relations Commission.What the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act Means for EmployersThe Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025 strengthens employee rights around retirement. It does not remove mandatory retirement entirely, but it changes how employers apply it.Key points employers need to understand:Employees now have the right to request to remain [...]
Auto-Enrolment Is Live: 5 Steps Employers Must Take Right Now
Ireland’s auto-enrolment pension system is now in force, creating immediate legal duties for employers. Where eligible employees are not already members of a qualifying pension scheme, employers must assess eligibility, register with the system, calculate and remit contributions and maintain accurate records. Auto-enrolment affects payroll, HR processes and employee communication from day one. It is not a background administrative change, it is an active compliance obligation.  What Auto-Enrolment Means for Employers Auto-enrolment introduces a mandatory workplace pension obligation where eligible employees are not already covered by a qualifying occupational scheme. While the State operates the system, employers remain legally [...]
Is Your Organisation Ready for the June 2026 EU Pay Transparency Deadline?
From June 2026, pay transparency will no longer be optional for Irish employers. The EU Pay Transparency Directive introduces legally enforceable obligations that change how organisations set pay, advertise roles, respond to employee requests and justify pay decisions. These rules apply across the Irish labour market and directly affect recruitment practices, pay structures, HR governance and legal risk. Employers that are unprepared face increased exposure to disputes, enforcement action and corrective pay assessments. Â What Is the EU Pay Transparency Directive? The EU Pay Transparency Directive is a binding EU law designed to enforce equal pay for equal work and [...]