Employment

Mason Hayes & Curran partners Elizabeth Ryan and Melanie Crowley consider the trend towards large compensation awards for dismissal. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has continued its streak of record-breaking awards of compensation for dismissal.

European trade unions and employers' organisations are being consulted on the possibility of new EU rules on remote working and the 'right to disconnect'. The first-stage consultation of European social partners launched by the European Commission this week follows a vote by MEPs in 2021 which calle

Anthony Fay considers the evolution and current trends in employment contracts. A 1980s brick phone wouldn't cut the mustard now in the high-octane environment of the corporate world. Contracts of employment are no different and need to keep pace with legislative changes, otherwise there could be se

A man who was forced to retire at the age of 66 has settled a discrimination claim with assistance from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. The man brought a claim under the Employment Equality Acts after his employer of more than a decade made him retire on reaching the age of 66. He ha

The UK's lack of legislation protecting striking workers from disciplinary sanctions short of dismissal is in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights, the UK Supreme Court has unanimously ruled. Trade union UNISON brought the case on behalf of care worker Fiona Mercer, who was suspended by

William Fry lawyers Ian Devlin and Richard Smith examine proposals to give employees a right to work until the State pension age. The government recently published the general scheme of the Employment (Restriction of Certain Mandatory Retirement Ages) Bill 2024.

Planned increases to workers' annual entitlement to paid sick leave could be postponed by the government, according to reports. The Sick Leave Act 2022 introduced a statutory right to paid sick leave for the first time and was meant to be phased in from 2023 to 2026.

The annual increase in limits for payments and awards to Northern Ireland workers in relation to certain employment rights is to take effect. From Saturday 6 April, the limit on the compensatory award for unfair dismissal rises from £105,915 to £115,341.

Irish employers find dismissals on performance grounds to be the most difficult to navigate, according to a survey carried out by Mason Hayes & Curran. The business law firm surveyed 450 employers in both the public and private sectors at a recent employment law webinar on navigating effective f

A business has been ordered to pay €450 to an employee who was denied sick leave in the first decision under the landmark Sick Leave Act 2022. The company, North Quay Associates Ltd, admitted that it failed to comply with its statutory obligation and told the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC

A chef who brought a claim for constructive dismissal against his former employer has been awarded over €13,000 by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). Norman Tanju brought a complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 against PBR Restaurants Ltd, which operates the Fish Shack chain of

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has published a code of practice for employers and employees on the right to request flexible working and remote working. The 32-page document was published today following a public consultation last year, which drew responses from trade unions and employer r

The Supreme Court has determined that the High Court erred in granting an interlocutory injunction to a company to restrain its employees from continuing industrial action in light of s.19 of the Industrial Relations Act 1990. Delivering judgment for the Supreme Court, Mr Justice Donal O’Donne

New legislation is set to prevent workers from being forced to retire before they reach the state pension age. Ministers have approved the general scheme of the Employment (Restriction of Certain Mandatory Retirement Ages) Bill 2023, which will prevent the enforcement of mandatory retirement ages lo

Northern Ireland firm Millar McCall Wylie has welcomed Siân McConnell as a solicitor in the firm's employment law team. Director David Mitchell said: "Our commitment to growth and enhancing our client services means continually identifying and supporting talent development.