Ireland: Employee Rights/ Labour Relations

This comprehensive employment law update examines critical WRC decisions from August 2026, including substantial awards for pregnancy discrimination, parent's leave violations, and disability accommodation failures. The analysis also covers the Government's proposed Leave for Pregnancy Loss Bill and highlights emerging compliance risks around minimum wage, working time records, and fair dismissal procedures.

Ireland's employment law landscape is undergoing significant transformation, with major developments in pay transparency, gender pay gap reporting, AI workplace regulation, and retirement age legislation demanding immediate employer attention. How should organisations navigate these evolving compliance obligations and prepare for the remainder of 2026?

When a worker raises a protected disclosure in Ireland, employers must follow specific legal procedures under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. This video outlines the critical steps organisations need to take, from establishing internal reporting channels to conducting proper investigations and avoiding criminal offences. Understanding these requirements is essential for maintaining compliance and protecting both whistleblowers and the organisation.

The Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994 establishes specific requirements for employers regarding written employment terms and delivery timelines. This video explores the fundamental components of employment contracts in Ireland, breaking down the mandatory statements employers must provide to employees and the legal timeframes within which these disclosures must occur.

Ireland's Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025 fundamentally reshapes workplace retirement dynamics by granting eligible employees the right to object to retirement before reaching State Pension age. Employers now face strict procedural requirements, including individualized assessments and formal written responses within tight deadlines, with significant penalties for non-compliance. How will organizations navigate these new obligations while balancing operational needs against employee rights

Ireland's Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025 takes effect on June 29, 2026, granting employees the right to refuse retirement at contractual ages below the State pension age of 66. How will this legislation impact occupational pension schemes, particularly regarding benefit accrual, contribution payments, and the timing of member entitlements?

The Workplace Relations Commission recently updated its Code of Practice on Access to Part-Time Working (see Code here) (the “Code”), which was initially published in 2006. The updated Code maintains a core principle: part-time work should be accessible across all organisational levels.

Ministers for Small Business, Retail and Employment and for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment published the statutory review of Ireland’s remote work request provisions...

The new financial year is approaching on 6 April 2026 and coincides with the introduction of updated statutory employment rates and limits along with the introduction of paid miscarriage leave...