Employment law in Ireland has been particularly dynamic in recent years. Covid and its aftermath transformed the workplace and created a more determined approach to employment regulation. In consequence we now have a raft of new legislation and associated workplace codes of practice.
Flexibility is key
Ireland has always had a flexible approach to regulating employment in order to ensure an investment and job-friendly ecosystem. Social partnership between Government, employers and employees was a longstanding feature of that ecosystem, which negotiated national pay talks and working arrangements. It fell in the aftermath of the 2008 economic crisis – partly due to a row over pay cuts and also to changes in politics and personnel. However, the same flexible and consultative approach towards the development of new employment standards remains. Hence the numbers of Codes of Practice – currently 15 – which allow for the trialing of new standards and adaptation as required to encourage compliance.
This consultative approach also informs the implementation of EU directives. While Ireland has had a perfect score in the past on timely transposition, that slipped during Covid and now is classified as average within the EU. Nevertheless, steady progress is being made.
Statutory Sick Pay
New entitlement to paid sick leave was legislated for by the Sick Pay Act 2022, which came into operation on 1st January this year.
Ireland was one of the few EU countries not to have a statutory...
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