A clearer way forward.

WRC complaints

Understand WRC time limits for employment claims in Ireland, including the six-month deadline, possible extensions and why employees should act quickly.

General

Does unused annual leave expire in Ireland? Understand employee rights to annual leave, carry-over of leave and when an employer may still owe outstanding leave.

General

This is one of the most common questions we receive.

Discrimination and disability

Discrimination at work occurs when an employee is treated less favourably because of a characteristic protected by the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2015, such as age, disability, race, gender or family status.

General

If you're involved in a workplace dispute, a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR) can be one of the most valuable tools available to you.

Discrimination and disability

Why clear medical information matters when seeking reasonable accommodation

Disciplinary matters

A recent decision by the Workplace Relations Commission offers an important reminder for employees who face rigid tests, assessments, or "pass-fail" criteria at work. The case involved a serving female firefighter in her 40s who applied for a full-time role but was knocked out of the competition after failing the "beep test", a shuttle-run fitness...

WRC complaints

A new, updated Code of Practice on Access to Part-Time Working has been issued by the Workplace Relations Commission and signed into effect by the Minister.

Discrimination and disability

When you're unwell or under pressure at work, questions about medical information can feel loaded. Many employees worry about privacy, stigma, or information being used against them. Those concerns are valid, but it's important to understand how medical information actually operates in Irish workplace processes.

WRC complaints

Workplace disputes rarely begin as legal problems; they begin as human ones. People often progress to the Workplace Relations Commission after experiencing stress, shock, anger, humiliation, or confusion about how things escalated so quickly at work.

WRC complaints

When taking a case to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), many employees assume they can simply "add" to their complaint later if more issues arise. However, a recent WRC decision, CA-00070973-001, highlights why that assumption can cost you your entire case.

Redundancy

Facing redundancy can be one of the most stressful moments in anyone's working life. It often comes with uncertainty, worry about finances, and confusion about whether the process being followed is fair. If you find yourself in this position, it's important to understand your rights under Irish employment law.

Dismissal

When an employer admits that a dismissal was unfair, many employees believe the hard part is over. The reality is different. Winning on liability is just the beginning, the real challenge lies in proving compensation for the financial and statutory losses that flow from being dismissed.

General

Offering a candidate significantly less than the salary budgeted for a role simply because they didn't negotiate hard enough is not just unethical, it's one of the structural practices that has contributed to the persistent gender pay gap.

Bullying and harassment

Many employees know what it feels like to be punished for speaking up at work, but few understand the legal distinction between victimisation and penalisation. If you're preparing a complaint or case, this difference could affect your legal protections, the burden of proof, and even the level of compensation you may be entitled to.

Dismissal

Many employees are unaware that they have strong legal protections under the National Minimum Wage Act 2000, particularly when it comes to raising concerns about low pay or asserting their right to be paid fairly. One of the most important protections in this Act relates to victimisation and unfair dismissal.

WRC complaints

When you're bringing a complaint before the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) or an employment tribunal, clarity is crucial. It's not enough to say, "I was treated unfairly", you need to explain what happened, why it matters, and how it breaches the law.

Bullying and harassment

Inappropriate behaviour at work doesn't stop at the shop floor. It climbs boardroom stairs, slips into HR offices, and often settles quietly behind executive titles. Senior managers and HR professionals are not immune to bullying, exclusion, or interpersonal dysfunction, but they are uniquely isolated in how they experience and respond to it.

Disciplinary matters

Employees facing internal workplace processes such as investigations, grievance hearings, or disciplinary hearings are often entitled to bring someone with them for support. However, confusion is common, both among employees and employers, about what that companion can and cannot do. Misunderstandings about this role can lead to unfair restrictions...

Disciplinary matters

If you've been interviewed as part of a workplace investigation, whether it's related to a grievance you raised or allegations made against you, one important but often overlooked question is this:

General

If you're in a dispute with your employer, one of the most powerful tools available to you is your right to submit a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR) under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

General

If you're in a dispute with your employer, one of the most powerful tools available to you is your right to submit a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR) under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Bullying and harassment

Workplace Bullying is a Health & Safety Risk, Not "Just a Personality Clash"

Grievances at work

In popular culture, and in many workplaces, we're taught to see strength in confrontation. Stand your ground. Speak up. Push back. Confront the bully.

Bullying and harassment

We were supporting an employee recently in a case involving a return to work after an injury. His employer had provided a verbal assurance of support and a "collaborative" approach. The HR manager, let's call her Karen, was calm, polite, and didn't use any legal language.

Bullying and harassment

If you've got less than 2 years' service, the wrong move could cost you your job, and leave you with no legal protection.

General

If you're involved in a workplace dispute and reach a financial settlement with your employer, it's important to understand how that payment will be treated for tax purposes. Some payments can be tax-free, but others are taxable depending on what the payment is for.

General

In most situations, it's easy to tell if you're working as an employee or if you're self-employed. But sometimes it's not so clear. In Ireland and across the EU, there's no simple legal definition of what "employed" or "self-employed" means. So, to figure it out, both your contract and what actually happens day to day in your job are looked at....

General

No, your employer is not allowed to deduct the cost of a uniform, or the cost of cleaning it, from your wages without your prior written agreement. Under the Payment of Wages Act 1991, any deduction from your pay must be authorised in writing, either through a clearly worded clause in your signed contract of employment or...

Grievances at work

If you're involved in a workplace dispute, keeping accurate, organised records can be critically important.

Grievances at work

Why Employees Need to Understand the Conflict Resolution Process

Disciplinary matters

The Unfair Performance Evaluation Model

Disciplinary matters

A biased or unfair performance evaluation can impact your career, affecting promotions, pay increases, and even job security. But you don't have to accept it without question. A fair evaluation system should allow two-way communication, giving you the opportunity to discuss your review and challenge it objectively. If this process fails, you have...

General

As of January 1st, 2025, the National Minimum Wage has increased to €13.50 per hour for adults aged 20 and over.

General

Many employees are told that mistakes, like breaking something at work, making an error on the till, or damaging company property, will be taken out of their wages. But is this actually legal?

Grievances at work

If you feel you're not being treated fairly at work, you have the right to raise a grievance, and your employer is obligated to address your concerns through a formal process.

Discrimination and disability

If you have a disability, you're an important part of the Irish workforce, and you have rights. You're entitled to fair treatment, protection from discrimination, and reasonable accommodations to help you succeed at work.

Redundancy

Yes! - You can be re-employed by the same employer who made you redundant, as long as the original redundancy was genuine and followed legal procedures. If your employer's situation has improved, they might prefer to bring back someone like you who already knows the ropes.

Discrimination and disability

Sick leave is common, but many employees wonder: Does my employer have the right to know the nature of my illness? 🧐 In Ireland, while employers may request a medical cert after a certain period, the details you must provide are limited.

Redundancy

If your employer is closing your workplace and offers you a job at another location, you do not always have to accept it. Your entitlement to redundancy depends on whether the offer is considered a reasonable alternative.

Dismissal

Under the Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977 to 2015, you usually need 12 months of service to bring a claim. However, in many cases, there are alternative avenues to challenge an unfair dismissal, even with less than 12 months of service.

Disciplinary matters

It depends! -It depends on the nature and type of investigation and company policy.

Disciplinary matters

In most cases, no! Under Irish employment law, employers must follow fair procedures, which include:

Grievances at work

No! Under Irish employment law, employers must follow a fair and transparent grievance procedure when concerns are raised. This means they should:

Discrimination and disability

Yes! Under Irish employment law, all employees must be given a fair opportunity to understand and respond during workplace processes. This may include:

Dismissal

In most cases, NO! ❌ Under Irish employment law, dismissing an employee because of pregnancy is automatically unfair and may also be discriminatory under the Employment Equality Acts.

General

Yes, your employer has a legal duty to ensure your safety, even if you work alone. Under Irish health and safety law, employers must conduct a risk assessment to identify potential hazards and put measures in place to protect lone workers. This includes:

General

While housing usually falls under property law, there are situations where it directly impacts your employment rights:

Discrimination and disability

Yes, employees with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations to help them perform their job effectively. If your employer is aware of your disability, they are legally required to provide accommodations, as long as these do not create a disproportionate burden on the business.

General

If your employer has asked you to relocate, it's important to know your rights. Generally, employers cannot change your work location without consulting you and getting your agreement. Forcing a relocation without your consent could breach your employment contract or even give you grounds for a claim of constructive dismissal.

General

The EU Platform Workers Directive is a new regulation designed to improve the rights and working conditions of individuals who work through digital platforms, such as websites or mobile apps. It introduces new protections for platform workers, ensuring fairer treatment and stronger employment rights.

Case studies

An Asian recruitment consultant received a settlement of €12,500 after experiencing racial harassment in their workplace.

Case studies

WorkplaceDisputes.ie successfully negotiated a settlement of €25,000 for an accounts assistant who suffered severe penalisation after raising a legitimate concern about workplace wrongdoing.

Case studies

At WorkplaceDisputes.ie we recently negotiated a settlement of €53,000 for a senior sales executive unfairly targeted in a redundancy process due to personal differences with a newly appointed sales director.

Case studies

WorkplaceDisputes.ie has successfully secured €7,824 in compensation for a part-time worker who lost her job after her employer closed its premises, a decision from the Workplace Relations Commission that underscores the strength of Ireland's redundancy laws.

Case studies

When employees face workplace disputes, whether related to unfair dismissal, contract violations, or pay issues, it's crucial to identify the strongest possible claims and ensure the right evidence is gathered. Without proper guidance, employees often focus on claims that are difficult to prove, while overlooking stronger legal protections that could...

Case studies

A recent case before the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) (ADJ-00053552) highlights how employees can weaken their own claims by focusing on the wrong legal arguments. In this case, Ms. Anita Swan, a cleaner employed by Office and Industrial Cleaning Ltd, alleged constructive dismissal but failed to meet the high legal standard required.