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Irish government announces details of an automatic enrolment pension system for the private sector in Ireland
31 March 2022
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, has announced details of the ‘design principles’ for the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System for Ireland. The design principles will form the basis of the draft legislation and the necessary operations to be put in place by government and employers.
Domestic abuse leave introduced in Northern Ireland
30 March 2022
The Northern Ireland Assembly has passed legislation that will entitle victims of domestic abuse to 10 days’ paid leave each leave year. The law was passed in the Assembly’s final week of sitting before the forthcoming Assembly elections in May. The commencement date of the new right remains to be confirmed.
Ireland: The use of non-disclosure agreements in discrimination and sexual harassment disputes under scrutiny
09 March 2022
Non-Disclosure Agreements (“NDAs”) have received a lot of media attention in recent times, in particular in the context of sexual harassment disputes and the #MeToo movement. In response to the growing public awareness of the potentially unethical use of NDAs, the Government has published a report on the prevalence and use of NDAs in discrimination and sexual harassment disputes (the “Report”).
Gender pay gap reporting in Ireland: first details announced
08 March 2022
The proposed relevant dates for Ireland’s new gender pay gap reporting regulations have been announced.
Consultation on banded hours contracts and enhanced rights for zero-hour workers in Northern Ireland
28 February 2022
The Northern Ireland Assembly is consulting on proposed legislation to enhance the statutory protections for zero-hours workers, including call-out payments, banning exclusivity clauses and introducing the right to request a “banded hours” contract. Consultation closes on 4 March 2022.
The end of mask wearing and Covid-19 restrictions in Ireland (RTE Radio 1)
28 February 2022
Linda Hynes speaks to RTE Radio 1 about her views on the end of the legal requirements to wear a face covering.
How can brands avoid Greenwashing: Victor Timon comments for Wasted.ie
25 February 2022
As efforts across our industries intensify to meet the climate crisis challenge head-on, so too does the accusation of ‘Greenwashing’.
Lewis Silkin features in the Belfast Telegraph
23 February 2022
‘Belfast’s reputation on the global stage as a hotbed for talent and opportunity is growing by the day. This prominence as a source of skill makes the city a natural fit for Lewis Silkin, a leading law firm that has two things at its core: people – both its clients and its own team – and a focus on creativity, technology and innovation’
Siobhra Rush has commented in the Independent.ie on the results of Ryanair’s latest gender pay gap report
23 February 2022
The report, submitted during the pandemic, shows the gap in average hourly pay between men and women is 67.8pc despite an increase in female pilots. Siobhra has said the legislation is still valuable, promotes transparency, and “requires employers to reflect on why they have a pay gap and diversity issues”…
Irish government launches new Digital Strategy
08 February 2022
As life changes to become ever-more driven by technology, the Irish government has launched a new national digital strategy, with the aim of driving and enabling a digital transition across the Irish economy and society.
Introduction of paid parental bereavement leave in Northern Ireland
08 February 2022
On 7 January 2022 the Northern Ireland Assembly passed legislation which will provide parents with two weeks’ paid leave following the death of a child under 18. These new entitlements will be effective from April 2022 with further provision relating to miscarriage promised.
Síobhra Rush provides comment to RTE News on the updated workplace guidance in Ireland
01 February 2022
On 31 January 2022 the workplace guidance for Ireland was updated.
Ireland: Updated guidance on the return to the workplace and preventing the spread of COVID-19
31 January 2022
On 31 January the Transitional Protocol: Good Practice Guidance for Continuing to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 (the Transitional Protocol), a revision of the Work Safely Protocol, was published by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. It has been very much awaited given the easing of social restrictions and the announcement of a phased return to work from 24 January. It sets out some guidance for employers to support the safe return to physical attendance in the workplace.
Return to the offices in Ireland: Síobhra Rush comments on the issues arising for employers as they encourage staff back to the office
28 January 2022
As employers in Ireland have once again been given the green light to bring their staff back to the office, Síobhra Rush comments on how businesses should approach bringing employees back to the office.
“Legal expert advises all parties to review return to work issues” – Linda Hynes provides a comment for the Irish Examiner
28 January 2022
As restrictions are starting to ease, Linda Hynes has spoken to the Irish Examiner on why employers need to consider potential employee relations and discrimination issues in how they handle any staff requests to continue working from home.
Northern Ireland: Getting ready for the return to work
25 January 2022
With the NI Executive recently relaxing COVID-19 restrictions, the return to work looks imminent
Ireland – Long-awaited insight into the right to request remote working
25 January 2022
Irish employers and employees have today been given some detail on how the long-awaited right to request remote working will operate. The legislation, once enacted, will introduce for the first time a legal framework in Ireland around requesting remote working arrangements.
Ireland: You shall return to the office (on a phased basis!)
25 January 2022
On 21 January 2022, the Irish government announced the easing of almost all of the Covid-19 restrictions. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said “a phased return to the physical workplace can now commence”. The government press release set out that from Monday 24 January a return to physical attendance in workplaces can commence “on a phased basis appropriate to each sector”.
Will work places snap back to normal? : Síobhra Rush comments for RTE Radio 1
24 January 2022
Síobhra Rush discusses the phased return to work, which can start from today.
We’re all getting an extra day’s holiday this year - or are we?
20 January 2022
Since the announcement of an extra bank holiday to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on 3 June, employees have been planning how to spend their bonus extra-long weekend. However, the legal position is not that straightforward. Some employees may find that they won’t be getting an extra day off at all.