Irish HR and Employment Law Developments

We explore the journey of the Adjudication Service of Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) since its establishment to now. Undoubtedly, the WRC has in the last 3 years gone through its most challenging period and is entering a new era in its adjudicative model. In this podcast, we directly from an Adjudication Officer on best practice for respondents who are coming before the WRC’s Adjudication Service.

How do respondents handle the changing landscape of the WRC’s Adjudication Service?

Laura McKee, Knowledge Partner at Legal Island, leads the discussion with our expert panel, Jennifer Cashman, Head of Employment at RDJ LLP, and David Small, Director of Adjudication Services at the WRC, in exploring where we are in 2023, and what it means for Irish employers.

They share insights and practical tips on the following:
1. Where are we two years on from the Zalewski Supreme Court decision? What employers, their representatives and witnesses must know about the impact of the Supreme Court ruling when preparing for a WRC hearing in 2023 and beyond.
2. Getting the procedures right: Best practice for employers preparing and attending WRC hearing in 2023.
3. Where does the Adjudication Service go from here? Can we expect more procedural changes and if so, how does a respondent handle that?

Do you think a WRC discrimination claim won’t happen to your organisation? If it does, are you prepared?

According to the 2023 Workplace Equality Survey, by Matrix Recruitment, a staggering one in five have said they have both witnessed and been a victim of discrimination in the workplace.

Nearly 500 employment equality complaints were received by the WRC in the first half of 2023, with disability, gender and race making up the bulk of complaints. And did you know that the majority of claims before the WRC are now held in public with names of both employers and employees published?

On top of this, the WRC can award significant compensation for employees who have been discriminated in the workplace – with some recent cases awarding up to €100,000!

At Legal Island, we believe that prevention is always better than the cure.

In this webinar, Laura McKee, Knowledge Partner is joined by employment law expert, Ciarán Ahern, Partner at McInnes Dunne Murphy LLP who:

• Provides a short discussion on the top employment discrimination cases this year

• Outlines the key lessons and recommended actions for employers

• Discusses how employers can implement robust policies and training for all staff on Diversity and Inclusion and hear how Legal Island can support you on this journey.

In this month's webinar with the HR Suite, Caroline Reidy, Managing Director of the HR Suite provides insights on workplace investigations".

When issues such as harassment, discrimination, misconduct, or conflicts arise, HR professionals must conduct thorough and unbiased investigations to address these matters appropriately. Investigators must employ critical thinking, ethical considerations, and effective communication skills to ensure fairness and accuracy throughout the investigative journey. Gain insights into conducting effective workplace investigations. An overview of best practices for handling sensitive issues, interviewing techniques, maintaining confidentiality, and ensuring fair outcomes. Elevate your HR skills and contribute to a safer, more harmonious work environment by watching this informative session.

Do you believe that a workplace culture rooted in dignity and respect is the cornerstone of organisational success? In today's rapidly evolving world, nurturing an environment that fosters dignity and respect has never been more crucial. It not only empowers employees but also drives productivity, engagement, and innovation.

Julie Holmes, Knowledge Partner at Legal Island, and Caroline Reidy, Managing Director of The HR Suite explore the transformative power of fostering a positive and inclusive work environment and how you can create a culture that uplifts employees, empowers teams, and fosters a sense of belonging.

Here are some key points explored:

• What strategies promote fairness, empathy, and equality across all levels of your organisation?
• How does respect foster collaboration, build strong relationships, and enhance productivity?
• What are the best practices for attracting, retaining, and developing a diverse talent pool?

Gain actionable insights on how to establish a respectful workplace culture that inspires individuals to reach their full potential.

An organisation built on dignity and respect is not just a workplace; it's a community where individuals thrive and organisations flourish. Together, let's redefine workplace culture!

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. 

Join Rolanda Markey and HR & Employment Law expert Caroline Reidy, Managing Director of the HR Suite as they discuss your employment law queries. 

In this podcast Caroline will discuss the current topical challenges being encountered in complying with the Code of Practice for Employers and Employees on the Prevention and Resolution of Bullying at Work.

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 month's webinar Caroline Reidy, of the HR Suite will discuss some key learning points for employers arising from recent case law decisions.  Caroline will focus on matters relating to equality, unfair dismissal, dignity and respect and fair processes. 

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 the second instalment of a series of webinars discussing comparative laws on the island of Ireland and GB, Lewis Silkin and Legal Island will discuss equality laws in GB, NI and ROI including:

• An analysis of the types of discrimination claims across GB, NI and ROI – what are the trends or similarities?
• The gulf between equality laws in GB and NI has widened since the introduction of the GB Equality Act. 
• What are the key need to knows about the inconsistencies? What are the key differences in ROI equality law?
• New areas including the menopause, long covid, gender, philosophical belief, social mobility, accent and language are impacting the equality landscape. 
• What are the current reforms in GB, NI and ROI equality law and what changes on the horizon should we prepare for?

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. 

Grab your lunch and join Rolanda Markey, Learning and Development Team at Legal Island and Ryan Calvert, Manager of HR Recruitment for UK and Ireland, as they discuss the key trends emerging in HR recruitment.

Ryan serves up some digestible golden nuggets of information and guidance that will leave you feeling satisfied and refreshed!

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 mcsgroup.jobs to see their latest roles. 

The Right to Request Remote Work Bill 2021 was introduced by the Government in January and will set out a legal framework whereby an employer can either approve or reject a request to work remotely from an employee. It also lays out 13 reasons why employers can refuse to approve a request for remote working.  In this webinar, Caroline Reidy, Managing Director of the HR Suite discusses the preparations an employer should make to prepare for a request for remote working and considers what employers should do to facilitate hybrid working arrangements.

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.