Irish HR and Employment Law Developments

Legal Island's Comparative Employment Law Table has been updated and expanded to include recent Republic of Ireland developments (of which there are many).
Ciara Fulton of Lewis Silkin joins Legal Island's Rolanda Markey to take a deep dive into the Table and discuss new ways of working and family-related rights in GB, NI and Ireland including:

1. Ireland is tackling work-life balance and remote working head on – what does this mean for employers in Ireland? GB doesn’t need to implement EU Directives following Brexit but has already promised to match the new rights for carers in the Work-life Balance Directive. How will NI be affected considering its unique position post-Brexit? Will NI follow GB, Ireland or set its own course?
2. Flexible working rights in GB are to be extended – who, why, what and when? And what about the right to request flexible working in Ireland and NI?
3. Parental bereavement leave in NI – What does this mean for NI organisations and what will the consultation on extending the Regulations bring? What are the similarities and differences between GB, NI and Ireland on this important topic?

Legal Island’s webinars and podcasts are sponsored by MCS Group, MCS help people find careers that match their skill sets perfectly, as well as supporting employers to build high performing businesses by connecting them with the most talented candidates in the market. If you are interested in finding out how MCS can help you, head to www.mcsgroup.jobs.

In this podcast, Caroline Reidy, Managing Director of The HR Suite and HR and Employment Law Expert, outlines some tips for managing both short and long-term absence. This includes:

• Absence Policy
• Dealing with Long Term absence
• Dealing with sporadic Short-Term Absence
• Reasonable Accommodation

As HR professionals, ensuring an inclusive and supportive workplace is a fundamental responsibility. A recent Irish survey conducted by Red C on behalf of Bank of Ireland revealed that almost 1 in 10 adults in Ireland identify as neurodivergent, yet only half of neurodivergent employees have disclosed their condition to their employer. Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in how the human brain works and processes information, leading to diverse behavioural traits and interactions in the workplace. Despite this, many organisations overlook the importance of raising awareness about neurodiversity and fostering neuroinclusion.

In this webinar, Declan MacQuillan, Senior Associate from Arthur Cox joins Victoria Smith from Legal Island to discuss the significance of neurodiversity in the workplace. Declan outlines the practicalities and provides his legal insights to help you:

• Understand your legal responsibilities under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 and how to avoid discrimination claims.
• Review case law examples of how some organisations mishandled their neurodivergent staff, and what we can learn from these mistakes.
• Outline best practices in supporting and empowering your neurodivergent employees.

Victoria also discusses with Emma what HR can and should be doing to promote neuroinclusion.

1 in 5 workers in Ireland had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace according to a 2019 survey conducted by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). Many conveyed that they did not report these incidents due to fears of retaliation or job loss. Similarly, the Workplace Relations Commission acknowledges there is an underreporting of incidents, with many employees citing that they distrust the reporting processes and fear of worsening their work situation as the main reasons for not coming forward.

All this underscores a critical need that HR and business leaders need to step up and address this insidious problem to ensure there are effective workplace policies and support systems in place.
Victoria Smith, Knowledge Partner and employment law expert, Ciara O'Kennedy , Partner at LK Shields Solicitors LLP, discuss:

1. Detailed explanations of what constitutes sexual harassment under Irish law and how hostile work environments can allow inappropriate behaviour to happen.
2. Look back at key legal precedents and case law in Ireland to learn from and protect both your staff and business.
3. Outline the legal obligations of employers under Irish law.
4. Discuss how employers can implement robust policies and training for all staff on sexual harassment

This essential session, tailored for HR professionals, managers, and business leaders, delves into the legal, practical, and human aspects of addressing sexual harassment within the workplace. We discuss recent legal developments and provide insights and tips on effective policies, best practice and how best to create awareness in the workplace regarding sexual harassment.

In this insightful free webinar, delivered by the new CEO of included, Michelle Sequira, we’ll be examining the pressing DEI challenges of 2024 and sharing the latest advice and guidance on actionable strategies to overcome them.
"Beyond Barriers: Top DEI Challenges in 2024 and How to Solve Them," is designed for business leaders, HR professionals, and DEI advocates who are committed to creating more inclusive environments.
Michelle will be tackling these core issues :
Emerging Trends: What new DEI challenges are on the horizon as workplaces become increasingly more diverse and digital?
Barrier Breakdown: Identifying systemic barriers that persist in organisations and innovative approaches to dismantle them.
Actionable Solutions: Practical steps and best practices to enhance inclusivity and equity at every level of your organisation.
Case Studies: Insights from leading companies that have successfully navigated complex DEI challenges.