News
Budget 2022 Key Points For Employers
Changes to the pandemic wage subsidy scheme are among some of the key takeaways for employers in the Government’s €4.7 billion spending plan for 2022. HR Team reviews how the Budget 2022 will affect employers in the coming year. Key Budget points employers need to be mindful of: Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) support will be extended until the end of April 2022. However, a structure of two rates (€151.50 and €203) will apply from December until the end of February, being reduced to €100 for March and April. The scheme will close to new [...]
Brexit HR Advice – Setting Up An Irish Company
Are You Considering Moving Your business To Ireland Post-Brexit? The United Kingdom is no longer a part of European Union Customs and single market due to the UK’s exit from the European Union on January 1, 2021. The Department Of International Trade advised that the UK can mitigate border issues and VAT problems to register new companies within the EU. The British government recently announced that UK corporation tax will increase from 19% to 23% from 2023 onwards. This is double the 12.5% corporation tax rate in Ireland. It may be extremely difficult for UK companies to maintain profitability and [...]
Employment Law Advice And Consultancy – What Is The Best Option For You?
Employment law regulates the relationship between employers and employees. It governs what employers can expect from employees, what employers can ask employees to do, and employees rights at work. Employment law is a minefield with continuous changes in government guidance. It can be challenging to keep on top of the ever-changing legislation. Particularly given the uncertainty of Brexit and Covid-19, employers must act with great caution to remain legally compliant. There are multiple options available; an employer could hire an in-house HR consultant or team, acquire an employment law advisor or solicitor, or pay for outsourced HR and employment law [...]
WRC inspections hike a warning to employers over compliance
The Workplace Relation Commission’s revelation that it carried out more than 5,000 unannounced inspections last year should serve as a warning to employers on compliance, a leading employment law adviser has said. In 2020, the WRC Inspectorate carried out a total of 7,687 inspections, of which 5,202 were unannounced. Martina McAuley, Director at HR Team, said the significant increase in completed inspections (4,804 overall in 2019, with 2,896 unannounced) “sends a strong message to employers to ensure they are compliant”. According to the WRC’s annual report, it detected 1,760 employers who were in breach of employment law, and recovered unpaid [...]
Employers Urged To Prepare For Parent’s Leave Increase
Parent’s leave is to increase from two to five weeks and will apply to both parents and adoptive parents under new legislation which comes into effect in April 2021. HR Team Director, Martina McAuley, said: “Parents in Ireland will be able to take the five weeks of leave at any time within the first two years after a child’s birth or adoption instead of in the one-year period that was previously provided for in the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019. “The new legislation means it is now time for employers in Ireland to establish new policies and procedures, or [...]
Willy-nilly rejection of remote working requests will see flood of tribunal cases
Leading HR advisor says employers are anticipating a flood of employment law cases resulting from 'willy-nilly' rejection of remote working requests by employers. Martina McAuley, Director at HR Team, said employers who are not adequately prepared to deal with remote working requests - even post Covid-19 – run the risk of serious financial penalties. Unfair Dismissal Following The Refusal Of A Remote Working Request Ms McAuley made the comments after the Workplace Relations Commission ordered an employer to compensate a worker for unfair dismissal following the refusal of a request for remote working. Ms McAuley said: “Case law now exists [...]
Remote working law will boost staff retention and motivation says HR expert
A leading HR specialist says laws giving employees the right to request permanent remote working will improve staff retention and motivation. HR Team Director, Breda Cullen made the comments after Tánaiste Leo Varadkar published Ireland’s first National Remote Work Strategy which aims to make remote working a permanent option after the Covid-19 pandemic. A new legally admissible code of practice on the right to disconnect from work will also be introduced - covering phone calls, emails and switch-off time. For expert HR advice on the latest employment law updates, contact our team. However, Ms Cullen said it is important that [...]
Pride month reminder to employers on protected characteristics
June is designated as ‘Pride Month’ and seems as good a time as any for employers to be reminded of their general obligations regarding protected characteristics and discrimination in the workplace. Pride Month is dedicated to raising awareness of the concerns facing the LGBTQ+ Community as well as encouraging inclusiveness and celebrating LGBTQ+ culture. This is the 20th anniversary of ‘Pride Month’ since the initiative was set in place by US President Bill Clinton in 1999. It is a month intended for celebration, as well as the promotion of tolerance regardless of one’s orientation. This global event highlights the [...]
€2,500 available for businesses seeking expert HR advice and training
The Lean Business Continuity Grant is worth up to €2,500 for third party consultancy costs, training and advisory purposes. Employers can avail of the voucher to seek professional advice at this challenging time from HR Team. Ensure you remain legally compliant, receive employment law advice, and implement contingency plans in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Eligible applicants will be: An Irish-owned enterprise, across any sector, with up to 50 employees. Applications must be submitted in the name of a company registered with the Companies Registration Office and incorporated in the Republic of Ireland at the time of application. Applications will [...]
Employment Law Consultancy Meeting
An experienced Employment Law Consultant will conduct a 60-minute one-to-one video conference with you to answer any bespoke COVID19 questions that you have and ensure that you are avoiding any employment law risks. At this trying time, we are committed to ensuring your organisation remains legally compliant and you are doing the best thing by your employees. Once you purchase your place, we will email the link for the one to one conference meeting. FAQs Will my questions and answers be confidential? We guarantee absolute confidentiality of your entire meeting. Will I be able to watch the meeting back? Absolutely. We will record the meeting and send to [...]