Ireland: Employment and HR

Ireland's Cabinet has approved the General Scheme of the Pregnancy Loss Leave Bill 2026, which would establish a statutory entitlement to five days' paid leave annually for employees experiencing pregnancy loss before 23 weeks' gestation. The proposed legislation includes day-one employment rights, protection against penalisation, and provisions for employers with existing more favorable schemes. Employers should begin reviewing their current leave and bereavement policies in anticipation of potential enact

Recent Workplace Relations Commission decisions reveal critical distinctions in how compensation caps apply under Ireland's Employment Equality Acts, particularly when employees resign before filing discrimination claims. The €13,000 statutory ceiling may not always hold, as one landmark case suggests EU law could require higher awards in certain circumstances.

Irish employers must navigate a complex landscape of mandatory workplace policies, from disciplinary procedures to whistleblowing protections. Understanding which policies are legally required, how to implement them effectively, and how to keep them current can mean the difference between compliance and costly disputes.