As we leave the January blues behind, we look forward to see what's on the horizon for employment law in Ireland in 2023. There have been a number of significant developments affecting employee rights, including sick leave, protection for whistleblowers, gender pay gap reporting, the right to request remote and flexible working, pensions, transparent and predictable working conditions and changes to the minimum wage, the living wage and tips and gratuities.

1. The Sick Leave Act 2022

The Sick Leave Act 2022 commenced on 1 January 2023 providing for the first ever statutory sick pay scheme (SSP) in Ireland. Employees are now statutorily entitled to be paid when they are absent due to illness. SSP is being introduced on a phased basis over a four-year period to help employers manage the additional cost, beginning with three paid sick days in 2023 and increasing annually thereafter.

SSP will be paid by employers at a rate of 70% of an employee's wage, subject to a daily maximum threshold of 110. Employees must have at least 13 weeks service with the company in order to be eligible for SSP and they must obtain a medical certificate from day one of their absence.

Employers who already offer paid sick leave will need to review their current policies and make the necessary amendments to ensure compliance.

Read more about the changes being introduced under the Sick Leave Act 2022.

2. Enhanced protection for whistleblowers under the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 (the...

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