News
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 [...]
Employment Law Breakfast Briefing for Business Owners & Directors
What the briefing will cover: • How to protect your organisation against costly tribunal claims? • The Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. • The importance of a Contract of Employment and Employee Handbook. • Unfair dismissal. • What to expect from a WRC (Workplace Relations Commission) audit? Date: Thursday, March 12, 2020 Time: 8:45am – 11:00am Admission Fee: Complimentary This event is exclusively for business owners and directors
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 [...]
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) [...]
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 [...]