News
Managing bereavement leave in the workplace
When tech giant Facebook announced a doubling of its bereavement leave allowance for staff, it brought into focus what can often be a grey area for employers. Facebook's chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, who lost her husband in 2015, said the company's change in policy was driven by a need for "public policies that make it easier for people to care for their children and aging parents and for families to mourn and heal after loss." Sadly, most people will experience the loss of a loved one at some stage in their career, meaning that as an employee they will [...]
Top tips for TUPE
When a business changes ownership there is a multitude of complexities that the new business owner must deal with. Quite often employment legislation is left to last and this can be a risky strategy as employees are protected under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings, Protection of Employment) legislation. We have witnessed a huge increase in organisations requesting guidance with TUPE year on year. This is partly due to the recognition by smaller organisations that TUPE legislation is not only the preserve of multinational companies. TUPE can apply regardless of the size of the business. Organisations would be best advised to seek [...]
Paternity Leave In Ireland And What It Means For Employers
Paternity leave in Ireland is no longer a courtesy extended at the discretion of employers following the enactment of new laws today. Starting from today employers in Ireland can expect applications from fathers in both heterosexual or same-sex relationships for two weeks’ paternity leave following the introduction of The Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016. That means that all employers should have paternity policies and procedures in place to ensure employment law compliance. It’s important for employers to have all the answers to potential questions employees may pose by ensuring that policies and procedures on paternity leave are fully up [...]
How employers can avoid summer holiday headache
Summer has arrived and with it comes the balancing act for employers of addressing a mountain of employee requests for annual leave. In a perfect world everyone could be granted annual leave to soak up the only few days of summer sunshine we’re likely to get. However, in most cases those summer periods when the kids are off school and sun has got its hat on, it’s business as usual for employers. That means that unless there is a mid-summer forced closure period of the organisation, there’s no way that every staff member can take annual leave at [...]
Minimum wage increase reminder from HR Team
Employers in the Republic of Ireland should adjust pay rates to include the statutory minimum wage increase on January 1, says HR Team Managing Partner Breda Cullen. The statutory minimum wage per hour has increased from €8.65 to €9.15. Ms Cullen said employers must implement the relevant changes in their payroll departments. "It's important that employers are aware of the increase in the minimum wage. We would urge all employers to take the appropriate steps in adjusting the salaries and wages of employees to ensure that they remain compliant with employment legislation and avoid risk.” The national minimum wage (NMW) [...]
Jose Mourinho’s seasonus horribilis management style to be avoided
It may make for riveting viewing but when it comes to managing poor staff performance employers should steer clear of the soap opera style of leadership employed by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. The fiery Portuguese’s most recent public lambasting of Chelsea’s under performing playing staff ticks all the wrong boxes when it comes to good performance management. I’m not for one minute suggesting that the ‘Special One’ isn’t a great football manager – his silverware haul over the last decade has certainly cemented his place among the world’s best. I’m also aware that this is not the first occasion that [...]
Minimum Wage Increase ‘Bad News’ For Employers
The 2016 Irish Budget’s increase in the national minimum wage is bad news for employers in Ireland. The Dublin Government’s move to increase the national minimum wage by 50 cent next year will have serious implications for employers, according to HR Team employment law specialist Martina Cullen. NEW MINIMUM WAGE IN IRELAND She said: “A 6% increase in the statutory minimum wage from €8.65 to €9.15per hour is concerning for employers and will have a negative impact on many Irish businesses. “The change which will take effect on January 1 next year will increase overall employment costs in firms with [...]
Annual leave when sick – law change in Ireland
HR Team is advising employers to note that workers can accrue annual leave while on long term sick leave. Minister for Business and Employment Ged Nash announced recently that workers absent due to long term illness can accrue annual leave. The legislation - which came into effect on August 1 - means workers are now permitted to carry over such accrued annual leave for a period of 15 months after the leave year in question. THE WORKING TIME ACT The new legislation was put in place following European Court of Justice rulings on accrual of annual leave entitlements during sick [...]
Chelsea FC doctor incident poses legal ‘Hazard’
Chelsea Football Club could find itself on an employment law injury list as a result of the saga surrounding former team doctor Eva Carneiro. Dr Carneiro very publicly incurred the wrath of Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho after she and male physio colleague Jon Fearn went to aid of Eden Hazard after being twice signalled by the referee to assist the injured player during a 2-2 draw with Swansea at Stamford Bridge on August 8. Mourinho was visibly angry as Hazard then had to temporarily depart the field leaving his team - which had already suffered a sending off - with just [...]
ECJ working time ruling ‘a barrier’ to business growth
A new EU ruling that travel time to and from first and last jobs of the day by workers with no fixed office should be regarded as work may have major implications for employers. HR Team Managing Partner Breda Cullen explained that the European Court of Justice ruling means many firms - including those employing care workers, tradespeople and sales reps - may be in breach of EU working time regulations. The top European court has been accused of tormenting businesses with the latest in a long line of rulings which put the squeeze on employers. HOW THE RULING IMPACTS [...]