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Síobhra Rush talks about the government’s plans to promote remote working
18 January 2021
Síobhra Rush was on RTÉ TV News talking about the government’s plans to promote remote working during the pandemic.
Tech Predictions 2021
11 January 2021
Yes, it’s that time of year to grab a cuppa and immerse yourself in learning about how tech might change your 2021. Now, we know it’s easy to be a little glum if stuck working from home, but amazing businesses thrive on a bold vision, focus, drive and positivity. That’s our spirit as we go into 2021. We hope you will join us on the tech discovery journey.
Ireland: Update on what is considered an essential worker under the latest Level 5 public health restrictions
08 January 2021
Under the latest Level 5 restrictions which came into force on 24 December, employees in Ireland must work from home unless they are classified as essential workers and their work cannot be done at home.
How Brexit affects UK immigration to Ireland
31 December 2020
As of 1 January 2021, British nationals visiting or working in the European Economic Area (EEA) will be restricted. With Schengen rules being introduced for visitors and work visas being required elsewhere in the EEA, we consider what the end of free movement looks like for British nationals looking to visit or work in Ireland and some further updates to Ireland’s immigration and work permit schemes.
Gender Pay Gap Reporting in Ireland – are we there yet?
25 November 2020
In this article, we review the current position on the gender pay gap in Ireland, what’s happening with the proposed legislation to introduce mandatory reporting and what employers should be doing now.
Is it time for a specific right to disconnect in Ireland? (IRE)
19 November 2020
With no definitive end in sight to the Covid-19 crisis, working from home (where that is possible) for large parts of the workforce is set to continue for the foreseeable future. The mass move to homeworking triggered by the pandemic has shone a spotlight on the increasingly blurred boundaries between work and home and reignited the debate on the “right to disconnect”.
Ireland’s Budget 2021: Key takeaways for employers
16 October 2020
The Covid-19 pandemic and the threat of a no-trade deal Brexit are the overriding themes underpinning the government’s budget for 2021. According to Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, the government has set aside €5.5 billion in contingency funds due to the “unbelievable uncertainty” facing the country. In this article we highlight key points from the budget for employers to note.
Ireland - Proposed new rights to sick pay and parental leave pay in Ireland
05 October 2020
The Labour Party has proposed a new Bill which, if passed, would give employees in Ireland the legal right to paid sick leave for the first time. It also proposes paid leave for employees whose children have to stay home from school due to Covid-19 measures.
Ireland: what do the July Stimulus Plan and Programme for Government mean for employers?
29 July 2020
This article discusses key measures for employers under the new Irish government’s July Stimulus Plan, plus various commitments under its Programme for Government which could have a significant impact in workplaces.
Staffing decisions when reopening workplaces in Ireland - a flowchart
29 May 2020
We have produced a useful flowchart which will help employers to decide which employees can return to work as part of the Covid-19 road to recovery.
IRELAND - Coronavirus – FAQs about managing the return to work
13 May 2020
These FAQs focus on the employment law issues facing employers as restrictions are eased and more employees can come back to work. They cover health and safety obligations, medical testing, contact tracing, deciding which employees should stay at home and what happens if employees don’t want to return. They also cover adjusting hours and responsibilities.
Ireland - Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme – planning an exit strategy
06 May 2020
The government’s Temporary Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme is currently due to end on 17 June 2020. It has provided employers with some important breathing space and there is no question it has saved jobs. But as the end of the scheme draws closer, it is important for employers to start considering their exit plans.
Ireland: how to manage a return to business after Covid-19
01 May 2020
Ireland’s lockdown is likely to be extended beyond the 5th May 2020. When it is eventually lifted, measures for a gradual and phased return to the workplace are likely to be imposed, with social-distancing measures remaining in place. You need to start thinking now about how to manage this process.
Ireland: Covid-19: Establishing a return to work plan – health and safety considerations
01 May 2020
As the Covid-19 crisis begins to ease, employers need to think carefully about how to manage safely the process of returning employees to the workplace. This inbrief summarises the legal landscape and various considerations that employers will need to take into account. The government has suggested that the relaxation of lockdown measures and any return to normal working life will be gradual and implemented on a phased basis. We have seen similar approaches being taken in those countries which are ahead of Ireland and beginning to take such steps.
Ireland: Coronavirus - FAQs for employers
16 April 2020
The Coronavirus outbreak is rapidly becoming more widespread, raising numerous issues for businesses. We have prepared a comprehensive set of FAQs setting out guidance on all the main questions we are being asked from employers in Ireland.
Ireland: Changes to Ireland’s Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme announced
16 April 2020
On 15 April 2020, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe announced a further set of changes to the recently introduced Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme in the wake of recent comments in which he accepted there were certain “gaps” in the scheme.
Ireland: The new Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme
25 March 2020
The Irish government has introduced the Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme to incentivise employers to retain employees on the payroll where possible (replacing the emergency COVID-19 Employer Refund Scheme). What are the implications for employers?
Ireland: Coronavirus - what Irish employers need to know
12 March 2020
The Coronavirus outbreak throws up numerous employment law issues, including questions about travel, health and safety, pay and risks of discrimination claims.
Ireland: New paid parental leave scheme from 1 November 2019
09 October 2019
The Government has now published the General Scheme for the Parental Leave and Benefit Bill. This provides for paid parental leave benefit, to be used within the first 12 months of a child’s life or 12 months from the date of adoption.
Ireland: Disability case update - Supreme Court clarifies the extent of an employer’s duty to provide reasonable accommodation
20 September 2019
A recent Supreme Court (SC) decision provides clarification on the legal principles to be applied to the question of what measures of “reasonable accommodation” an employer should consider to enable employees with a disability to participate in the workforce.