This Week's Top 5 Must Reads🔥

1. 🗓️ Four-day week? Unions are talking. Long weekends could go mainstream.
2. 📉 Dublin lags. Jobs growth slower than the rest of Ireland, says Indeed.
3. 🤖 AI wins. Fairer hiring than humans? The bots are beating us.
4. 🏡 Remote pushback. Some sectors want staff back in. Unions aren’t impressed.
5. ⚖️ Lingard ruling. Big shift in employment status. Our Q&A explains.

And in other news.....🔥 Burnout is bleeding businesses dry. Up to $5 million a year in lost productivity. But it’s not just the hours – it’s the pinging messages, fuzzy job roles, and ghost-mode managers wearing teams out. Time for a serious wellbeing audit? Read more HERE. 

**If you have any difficulties accessing the article or resetting your password (if you haven’t already done so in 2025) please email hub@legal-island.com and we’ll be in touch with you as soon as possible.**

1. Case Law Reviews
2. AI and Employment Law
3. Sickness Absence
4. ISME hits out at move to raise personal injury awards by 17%
5. Four Day Week
6. Recruitment and Retention
7. Remote Working
8. Data Protection & Cybersecurity
9. Just In Case You Missed It....
10. HR Developments
11. Employment News in the Media
12. Health and Safety Developments
13. Free Webinars This Month 

Liam Kyle v Bar One Racing ADJ-00056575 

Summary: WRC held in favour of employee and found he was unfairly dismissed due to the employer's serious procedural failures, absence of written warnings, and denial of representation rights.

Practical Guidance for Employers: 

• This case highlights the necessity for employers to follow fair procedures when addressing employee conduct, attendance, or performance issues. Any disciplinary process must begin with clear, written notice outlining the nature and purpose of the meeting, the specific concerns being raised, and any possible outcomes, including potential dismissal.
  
• Employers must also inform employees of their right to representation at disciplinary meetings. This includes the right to bring a colleague or trade union representative. Additionally, any warnings issued must be given in writing, with a copy provided to the employee and kept on file for future reference.
  
• Finally, poor record-keeping and informal handling of disciplinary matters leave employers vulnerable to legal claims under the Unfair Dismissals Acts. Even where there are legitimate concerns, failure to observe procedural fairness can result in compensation awards against the employer. Proper documentation, clear communication, and adherence to established disciplinary procedures are essential safeguards.

Read the full Review here:
Liam Kyle v Bar One Racing [2025]

A Sales Executive v A Technology Company 

Summary: The WRC found that the employer unlawfully deducted wages by failing to pay five months’ salary owed to the Sales Executive, in breach of the Payment of Wages Act 1991.

Practical Guidance for Employers: 

Employers must recognise that timely payment of wages is not optional but a fundamental legal obligation under the Payment of Wages Act 1991. Failure to pay wages on time can expose the business to formal complaints, legal costs, and compensation orders, regardless of any financial difficulties the company may be experiencing.

If a business anticipates cash flow problems, clear, honest, and documented communication with employees is essential. Empty promises or ignoring wage arrears can damage trust. Any delay in payment should be agreed in writing with the employee where possible, though this does not remove the employer’s legal liability. Also, employers should also ensure proper records are maintained, including payslips, payment schedules, and all correspondence relating to wage payments. At any future WRC hearing, failure to produce documentation or engage with the process will weigh heavily against the employer. Finally, businesses must take WRC proceedings seriously. Attendance at hearings with appropriate witnesses is critical. Non-attendance and casual disregard for the process, as seen in this case, signals a lack of respect for both the employee and the adjudication process, significantly increasing the likelihood of a costly outcome.

Read the full Review here:
A Sales Executive v A Technology Company [2025]

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These case reviews were written by Patrick Barrett BL.

Patrick's legal education is robust, beginning with a BCL Law Degree from University College Cork (2012-2016), followed by an LL.M in Business Law from the same institution (2016-2017), and culminating in a Barrister-at-Law Degree from The Honorable Society of King’s Inns in Dublin (2019-2021). He has extensive experience on the South-West Circuit, handling Civil, Family, and Criminal Law cases, as well as advising the Citizen Advice Service.  He has worked as an employment consultant, dealing with workplace investigations and bankruptcy procedures.

Remember: Our Irish case law reviews are now held in our case law section on our fully-searchable employment law hub website.

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AI in hiring out-performs humans in fairness

A report from AI auditing platform Warden AI, The ‘State of AI Bias in Talent Acquisition 2025’, suggests that AI models may reduce, not increase, bias in hiring. Three-quarters (75 per cent) of HR leaders cite bias as a top concern when evaluating AI tools, second only to data privacy. The report, which analysed ‘high-risk’ AI systems used in talent acquisition and intelligence platforms, reveals that AI may help organisations make fairer decisions than their human counterparts. 
Global Recruiter has more here.

Microsoft to cut 9,000 jobs globally as role of AI increases

About 9,000 jobs are to be shed by Microsoft in its latest round of layoffs as the company looks to adopt more AI and streamline management and sales. In May the technology company signalled it was going to cut 3-4% of its 230,000-strong workforce as it invests in and implements artificial intelligence infrastructure. About 5,300 workers at the firm are based in the UK. Personnel Today has the full story. 

GenAI - Cognitive Debt or Wealth in the Workplace? It’s Up to Us to Decide…

This week Barry Phillips argues that GenAI makes us lazier or better and its entirely up to us…

GenAI - Cognitive Debt or Wealth in the Workplace? It’s Up to Us to Decide…

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Regulation of sick certs important for workers and businesses

A rise in population has led to a doctor shortage, making GP appointments harder to get. As a result, digital sick certificates are becoming more common, with some being issued without consultations. These certs, costing €25 - €45, are offered online where users fill out questionnaires for review. The Irish Independent investigated this and you can read the results here.

Temporary sick leave scheme for health workers with long Covid extended for six months

A temporary sick leave scheme on full pay for healthcare workers with Long Covid is to be extended for six months. After that, they will return to standard public service sick leave arrangements. The move comes after Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill accepted a Labour Court recommendation to extend the temporary scheme to December 31. However, the court rejected health unions’ key demand that a special occupational sick pay scheme should be set up on a permanent basis for workers suffering from Long Covid. More from the Irish Independent. 

Managing Sickness Absence Event

Want to know more about how to manage short and long term absences in your organisation? Join us at our upcoming event in association with Addleshaw Goddard LLP, focused on managing sickness absence. This event provides a valuable opportunity to gain insights, practical strategies, and up-to-date guidance from industry experts who will offer actionable strategies that you can implement immediately within your organisation. More details here.

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The Government’s proposal to raise personal injury awards by 17% has been strongly criticised by industry bodies, which have warned that such a move could take money directly from small businesses into the pockets of lawyers. Speaking on the proposal, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprise Association (ISME) said the increase would lead to hikes in insurance premiums for both businesses and consumers, further rewarding a legal industry which it said is already profiting from huge personal injury payouts, reports the Irish Examiner.

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Union leaders to debate four-day working week

A four-day working week, pay, remote working and artificial intelligence (AI) were among the topics debated at the biennial conference of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) held in Belfast. More than 600 union representatives from across the island of Ireland are participated in the three-day conference. RTÉ has more.

And over in the UK, the four day week seems to be a huge success following a pilot....

Four-day working week pilot a big success with '10 years' prediction made

The latest national four-day working week trial in UK, involving 17 companies and nearly 1,000 workers, has concluded with a 100% success rate, it was announced on Thursday. All 17 firms have opted to maintain the shorter working week following the trial's conclusion. The six-month experiment kicked off last November and was orchestrated by the 4 Day Week Foundation, who champion a "four-day, 32 hour working week with no loss of pay for workers". They argue that the conventional nine-to-five is an antiquated work pattern that "no longer suits the realities of modern life". More from My London News.  

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Most US firms in Ireland to grow or keep jobs despite global pressure, survey finds

The overwhelming majority of US businesses in Ireland plan to increase or maintain their employment levels in Ireland despite the global uncertainty, and deliberate efforts by US president Donald Trump to bring more manufacturing back to the States. Marking the July 4 Independence Day celebrations, the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) released the results of a survey conducted of its members, where 92.5% said they planned to increase or maintain their current level of employment in Ireland. More from the Irish Examiner. 

Hiring in the manufacturing sector hits a three-year high – AIB

Hiring in manufacturing rose to a three-year high in June according to the latest, AIB PMI. There was further good news as the sector saw the steepest rise in input buying since April 2022. You can read more from Business Plus here.

Dublin underperforms rest of Ireland in jobs market – Indeed

Dublin “continues to underperform” national trends in the jobs market this year, reflecting its greater exposure to the tech industry, which has been shedding jobs and experiencing some of the biggest declines in postings, according to new data from Indeed. The job platform’s 2025 Ireland Mid-Year Market Update shows Dublin postings sit 13 per cent below their pre-pandemic baseline. More from the Irish Times.

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‘Real concern’ as workers in some sectors facing significant pushback against remote working, union boss says

Workers are facing a significant pushback against remote working across financial services and other sectors, a union leader has warned. General secretary of the Financial Services Union (FSU), John O’Connell, has called for employees to have a right to work remotely, reports the Irish Independent.

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Records of six million people exposed in Qantas cyber attack

Qantas has suffered a major cyber-attack, potentially exposing the records of up to 6 million customers. The airline said on Wednesday that the affected system had now been contained and its systems were secured. The system in question was a third-party platform used by the airline’s contact centre, which contains the records of 6 million customers. More from the Irish Times here.

Airlines brace as experts warn of Scattered Spider attack threat

Hackers using Scattered Spider tactics are renowned for targeting one sector at a time. For the past year, US and UK retailers have been in their sights with high-profile attacks on Marks & Spencer, Harrods and the Co-op. Now the FBI and other experts are warning that international airlines may be next in their crosshairs. Already cyberattacks have been reported on the US’s Hawaiian Airlines and Canada’s WestJet in recent weeks. More from Silicon Republic.

Irish Authority Fines DSP Over Biometric Data Use

The Irish Supervisory Authority has reprimanded the Department of Social Protection (DSP) following a data inquiry into its Public Services Card registration process, known as SAFE 2. The investigation, launched in July 2021, found multiple GDPR breaches relating to the collection, retention, and transparency of biometric facial data. As a result, DSP was fined €550,000 and ordered to stop processing biometric data within nine months unless a valid legal basis is established. You can read more from the European Data Protection Board.

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Q&A: What does the Lingard v Randridge International Ltd ruling mean for employment status?

Oisín O’Callaghan, Associate, Employment Practice Group, A&L Goodbody LLP reviews the background to the Workplace Relation Commissions decision in Lingard v Randridge International Ltd and its impact on employment status. Read more here.

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What will it take for burnout to be taken seriously?

Burnout is costing companies up to $5 million a year in lost productivity, and it’s not just about long hours. This article looks at how everyday stressors like constant messages, unclear roles, and absent leadership wear teams down. It outlines direct, practical steps companies can take to reduce friction and improve employee focus, well-being, and performance. More from HR Director.

Employers are still not conducting candidate checks despite global rise in ID fraud

A global screening report from Hireright reveals 90% of EMEA  (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) businesses detected discrepancies during pre-employment checks - highlighting rising concerns about ID fraud and AI-assisted misrepresentation. Among over 1,000 HR and risk professionals surveyed, the most common issues were inflated work history (64%), inaccurate education claims (47%), and undisclosed criminal records (22%). You can find out more from HR Director.

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A charity has been ordered to pay its former finance manager nearly €35,000 for dismissing him “wholly or mainly” because he voiced fears its accounts might not stand up to an audit. The WRC ruled that an email from the employee, a chartered accountant, looking for “extra time” to investigate a loss of €33,000, sparked an “adverse” response from its former chief executive. More from the Irish Times.

One of RTÉ's senior HR manager denied claims at the Workplace Relations Commission that the broadcaster had a media worker misrepresent his employment status to secure newsroom shifts. The worker, Joseph Kelly, alleges he missed out on entitlements due to being labelled "freelance" from 2012 to 2018. RTÉ maintains it paid him appropriately, but the Department of Social Protection found in 2022 that Kelly had been employed since 2012 and held RTÉ liable for €36,000. More from the Irish Times.

Intel has informed the government it will make nearly 200 compulsory redundancies at its plant in Leixlip this autumn as part of major restructuring by the chipmaker. Around 4,900 people work at the Leixlip site, which is expected to remain central to the company's operations even as around 195 jobs are cut, reports Business Plus.
 
A shop worker at TK Maxx, Artur Czopek, claimed racial discrimination after being excluded from workplace birthday collections, saying, “I never saw a foreigner get flowers or presents.” He filed a complaint under the Employment Equality Act 1998. However, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) dismissed the claim, with the company denying any discrimination, harassment, or victimisation, reports RTÉ.

An Iarnród Éireann worker who defied orders and took control of a crane when he saw that its load had became unstable - only for the load to trap another worker's foot when he set it down - has won €12,000 for unfair dismissal. Liam Óg Lynch's trade union had told the Workplace Relations Commission that he should get his job back after acting with "great leadership and bravery" to try and bring a dangerous situation under control. You can read more here from RTÉ.

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Health and Social Care Advisory Committee (HSCAC) Action Plan 2025 – 2027

This sector is important in terms of employment and accounts for 13.7% of all persons employed in Ireland, approximately 376,600 people (CSO Labour Force Survey, Q2 2024). The Health and Safety Authority introduces the first Action Plan from the Health and Social Care Advisory Committee (HSCAC). Access it here. 

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MCS Lunch and Learn: What Top Recruiters Know that You Don’t (Yet)       

🔔 Please note that the webinar has been rescheduled to 23rd July.

🗓  Thursday, 23 July 2025
🕚 12:00 – 12:45 (45 mins)
💻 Online

Register HERE.
                                                            
Join Julie from Legal Island for an MCS Lunch and Learn webinar with leading recruitment experts Ryan Calvert and Rebekah Mulligan. In the first quarter of 2025, the business and recruitment landscape has already been reshaped by macroeconomic, socio-economic, and political forces. Policy changes, inflationary pressures, and shifts in the labour market are compelling organisations across the UK and Northern Ireland to reassess their HR strategies. As workforce dynamics continue to evolve and skills demands grow, it’s essential for HR professionals to adapt their approaches to remain competitive and effectively meet new challenges.

In this 45-minute webinar, Ryan and Rebekah will share the latest trends in recruitment, exploring how organisations are addressing skills shortages, meeting the demand for flexible work, and adapting to the changing expectations of today’s candidates. From the rise of AI-assisted applications to the impact of global DEI rollbacks on local employer brands, they’ll outline the trends that will define talent acquisition in 2025 and beyond.

In this session, we’ll cover:

• Evolving Hiring Trends – Gain insight into where job demand is expected to increase in the next year.
  
• Practical Strategies for Addressing Skills Shortages and Talent Demands – Learn how organisations are responding to economic pressures and shifting labour markets.
  
• Building an Authentic and Competitive Employer Brand – Discover how cultural fit and retention efforts can strengthen your recruitment strategy.

Learn how to build trust and strengthen your employer brand in an era where candidates are more informed than ever. Our experts will also discuss how HR teams can stay authentic and competitive in a rapidly shifting environment - ensuring your organisation’s values shine through at every touchpoint, from job adverts to interviews and beyond. Expect practical tips, straight-talking insights, and just enough humour to make your talent challenges feel (almost) manageable.

Got questions? Bring them along! Ryan and Rebekah will be answering audience questions, giving you the chance to get expert advice on the issues that matter most to you.

Check out previous discussions:
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