A quick summary on the information that employers must issue new employees about their terms and conditions of employment on starting employment and when it must issue. These are the minimum legal requirements but it is recommended that a full contract of employment is issued before employment commences so that everyone is clear on requirements from the outset....

With the publication of the government's strategy last Friday on remote working, which includes the planned introduction of the right for employees to request a permanent remote working arrangement, many employees will be delighted that this could be the case, with others desperately waiting for a return to the office, and to get out of the house again every morning. In the meantime, a quick reminder of some useful practical tips for making remote working as easy as possible, for as long as it will remain necessary, in the short term at least, under Covid restrictions....

As we approach the Christmas holiday season, this article briefly reviews the issue of the right to disconnect, which has come to the fore once again, as a result of the unexpected move to remote working for many employees during the Covid 19 Pandemic, and the establishment of a pattern of working, which may remain a standard feature of working life for many going forward....

A recent award under the Organisation of Working Time Act should be noted when the Adjudication Officer not only made and an award of €5,483.40 for annual leave accrued during long term sick leave, but a further €5,000 compensation for an employer's refusal to pay the leave when requested by an employee on termination of her employment. (Ref ADJ - 00025283)...

As we approach the Xmas shut down period when a significant number of employees will be on a break from their workplace, the issue of employees digital rights is very much on the agenda at the moment, with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation committed to exploring putting the right to disconnect on a potential statutory footing, as we all potentially can remain always "switched on" with our smart phones never too far away....

This article outlines a quick summary of the key provisions that apply in respect of employees' entitlements to breaks and rest periods when working, and in particular it must be stressed that records to support that breaks are being taken are required . A recent WRC decision awarded €1k compensation to a retail employee, when it was determined their records were inadequate....

Another recent case dealing with the issue of the forced retirement of a legal secretary who had 40 years service, once again highlights the difficulties that employers face in implementing retirements, when they have not established a fixed retirement age, on objective grounds, either contractually or through custom and practice (Ref ADJ - 00016645)....