Christine, Julie, and Laura - known as the Knowledge Team - bring extensive expertise in employment law, HR, and learning & development. With diverse backgrounds spanning top-tier law firms, in-house roles, and voluntary organisations across the UK and Ireland, they provide informed and strategic support on employment matters.
Our team includes qualified (now non-practising) employment solicitors with experience in both legal and corporate sectors, alongside an experienced HR professional and CIPD Associate Member, ensuring a well-rounded approach to workplace challenges.
🎓 Exams are in full swing. Good luck to all students sitting the Junior and Leaving Certs! Meanwhile, here’s your employment law cheat sheet. ✏️Luckily, your exam is just reading this update! ⚖️
Cut Through the Noise: This Week’s 5 Reads 📚
- ⏱️ 4 minutes of inactivity - eBay worker resigned & lost his constructive dismissal case.
- 🤖 AI = 4x more productive + 56% higher pay! Yep, the data’s in. Embracing AI is paying off big time.
- 😵💫 New job trends show a growing disconnect between people and their jobs. Burnout, boredom, and boundary issues are on the rise.
- 🚪 DEI: Companies dialling down their diversity efforts are watching top talent walk out the door. And fast.
- 🎓 FREE webinar alert! Case Law Insights: Getting Fair Procedures in the Disciplinary Process Right.
And in other news...Forget quiet quitting, the new HR buzzword is quiet cracking 💥That’s when stress, burnout, or just plain job misery start chipping away at you… until you quietly check out 😬 Curious (or concerned)? We’ve got the full lowdown 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.**
CONTENTS ⚓︎
1. Case Law Reviews ⚓︎
Eanna Donoghue v eBay Europe Services Ltd ADJ-00053831
Summary: eBay employee quit after being written up for failing to explain 4 minutes of inactivity on his computer to his manager's satisfaction has lost his claim for constructive dismissal in the WRC.
Practical Guidance for Employers:
This case underscores the importance of clear performance standards and consistent application of disciplinary procedures. Employers should ensure that expectations are well-documented and explained to all staff. Where monitoring tools like screen recordings are used, policies should clarify how data will be assessed and what constitutes a breach. However, procedural fairness must always accompany performance management.
Employees should be given reasonable opportunity to explain alleged misconduct, and managers must document all interactions. If personal difficulties are cited, employers should respond while maintaining professional standards (e.g., offering support services or accommodations where possible). Moreover, before imposing disciplinary sanctions, ensure that employees are aware of their right to raise grievances. This not only protects compliance but may also resolve misunderstandings early on.
Finally, employers should train managers in handling sensitive issues fairly and consistently. Constructive dismissal claims can often be avoided when employees feel heard and treated equitably. A robust grievance process allows concerns to be addressed internally before reaching the point of resignation. Employers should try foster a culture of openness and procedural fairness to maintain morale and mitigate risk.
Read the full Review here:
Eanna Donoghue v eBay Europe Services Ltd [2025]
Luarena Toland v St. Vincent's University Hospital ADJ-00053658
Summary: WRC held that demotion without fair process breached fixed-term worker rights.
Practical Guidance for Employers:
This case highlights the importance of applying fair procedures equally to all employees, regardless of contract type. Employers must not assume that the temporary or fixed-term nature of a contract exempts them from obligations around due process, especially when taking adverse action such as demotion. Any disciplinary response should involve prior notice, an opportunity to respond, and equitable treatment compared to permanent staff.
The decision also illustrates the risk of failing to clearly communicate or document grievance processes and contract terms. Employers should ensure acting-up arrangements are regularly reviewed and documented, in line with relevant policies (e.g., HSE Circulars), and that those in such roles understand their status and rights. Relying on implied understandings or failing to follow internal grievance procedures can expose employers to claims.
Read the full Review here:
Luarena Toland v St. Vincent's University Hospital [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:
https://legal-island.ie/employment-law-hub/case-law
2. AI & Employment Law ⚓︎
Too much too soon: Are we ready for AI employees?
When you think of artificial intelligence (AI) you likely envision a collection of systems fine-tuned to collaborate with one another, whose role it is to take over many of the tasks you don’t have the time or the motivation to complete. But, as we move further into the fourth industrial revolution, certainly in the workplace, AI is becoming less of a machine and more of an asset. But are we prepared for a workforce that counts AI as a co-worker? Read more:
https://www.siliconrepublic.com/careers/ai-employees-skills-leadership-growth-development
AI linked to four-fold productivity increase and 56% wage premium – PwC
The rate of wage growth for workers skilled in using artificial intelligence more than doubled last year as demand for their expertise continued to rise. The latest PwC global AI jobs barometer shows that AI-skilled workers saw an average wage premium of 56% in 2024, up from 25% the previous year. Business Plus has more on this:
https://businessplus.ie/news/ai-wage-productivity-pwc/
Cybersecurity remains the top investment priority - EY Tech Leaders Outlook
Cybersecurity remains the top investment priority for Irish tech leaders who are facing increasing budget constraints, geopolitical tensions and continued technological change. Nearly half of those surveyed (48%) for the EY Tech Leaders Outlook said its the most critical area for improvement due to rising threats. The findings show that AI adoption continues to accelerate, with one in ten leaders now saying AI is fundamental to their business, jumping from just one in 50 (2%) in 2024. RTÉ has more on this:
https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2025/0603/1516355-ey-tech-leaders-outlook/
AI Literacy – From Legal Obligation to Strategic Opportunity
Since November 2022 and the launch of ChatGPT, it has been hard to ignore the exponential rise of Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) across all aspects of our lives. Whether it be the customer service chatbots we interact with when trying to buy goods and services online or the AI Agents inbuilt into the software we use in a work context, AI is everywhere – but how much do we really understand it and why has it become so much more important that we do? Arthur Cox delve into your legal obligations in their article here:
https://www.arthurcox.com/insights/ai-literacy-from-legal-obligation-to-strategic-opportunity/
"Is Your Next Coach Human… or Digital?"
In this episode of the AI for HR Weekly Podcast, Barry Phillips explores the evolving landscape of workplace coaching. As organisations increasingly integrate AI-driven tools into their operations, the line between human and digital coaching becomes blurred. Barry examines the implications of this shift, discussing the benefits and challenges of digital coaching solutions, and what this means for HR professionals striving to balance technological innovation with human-centric development.
3. Pay Transparency ⚓︎
Ahead of the curve: preparing for pay transparency
The EU Pay Transparency Directive (the Directive) came into force in June 2023 and Ireland has until 7 June 2026 to implement the new rules. It contains far-reaching new measures, such as gender pay-gap reporting across all EU member states, a ban on pay secrecy, as well as information rights for employees and job candidates.
The Directive has not yet been transposed in Ireland, but the initial steps in the transposition process are underway. In January 2025, the General Scheme of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 was published with two provisions aimed at enhancing transparency prior to employment and at transposing Article 5 of the Directive. However, as the General Scheme is currently being revised, it remains to be seen whether the draft as it currently stands will become a formal bill and eventually law. Further, the government’s legislative programme states that the Heads of a Pay Transparency Bill are in preparation. Read more from A&L Goodbody here:
https://www.algoodbody.com/insights-publications/ahead-of-the-curve-preparing-for-pay-transparency
4. DEI ⚓︎
DEI policy changes are causing a business brain drain
According to research released by Expleo, 40% of large enterprises in Ireland have experienced employee resignations directly attributed to recent changes in their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies. The findings highlight a growing divide in corporate approaches to workplace diversity:
• 40% have eliminated or plan to eliminate DEI targets completely since November 2024
• 50% of companies are removing employee pronouns from email signatures
• 49% of companies with US operations are adjusting DEI language to avoid potential complications in American markets
More on this from Think Business:
https://www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/irish-businesses-dei-policy-changes-employee-resignations/
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5. Upskilling ⚓︎
Almost half of businesses in the North West require upskilling of their workforce
Research has revealed that almost half (47%) of businesses in Ireland’s North West will require digital upskilling for their workforce in the next two to three years. A recent research report from Skillnet Ireland entitled Ireland’s Talent Landscape 2025: Future Skills Challenges of Irish Business report, authored by Ipsos B&A, shows a strong demand for upskilling among businesses in Ireland’s North West, with a particular focus on digitalisation and the green economy.
More from the Irish Independent:
https://www.independent.ie/regionals/sligo/news/almost-half-of-businesses-in-the-north-west-require-upskilling-of-their-workforce/a1575150477.html
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6. Employee Wellbeing ⚓︎
'Quiet cracking' is the new workplace trend that could be a major sign of burnout
'Quiet quitting', whereby employees stop going above and beyond at work, made headlines and a couple of years ago, but employers are being warned to watch out for another trend. 'Quiet cracking' is when stress, burnout or workplace unhappiness begin to take their toll, causing employees to slowly disconnect from their job. “Quiet cracking isn’t laziness or a flaw in your work ethic. It’s often a sign that your mind and body are trying to cope with something unsustainable," said Guy Thornton, founder of PracticeAptitudeTests.com. More from Business Plus:
https://businessplus.ie/business-insights/quiet-cracking/
Congress Youth launch Your Rights at Work guide for young workers
The Congress Youth Committee has launched an online guide aimed at informing young workers in Ireland about their rights at work.
Titled Your Rights at Work, the guide is designed as a living document, which will be continuously updated to reflect changes in employment law and workers’ rights. This accessible and practical resource serves as a vital tool for empowering young workers by clearly outlining their entitlements – including their right to join a trade union. Read in full:
https://www.ictu.ie/news/congress-youth-launch-your-rights-work-guide-young-workers
How to Work Healthier in 2025
As the lines between work and personal life continue to blur, companies are recognising the critical importance of employee wellbeing. Businesses that champion health and wellness are seeing improvements in employee satisfaction, innovation and overall performance, ultimately leading to a stronger bottom line. This is especially true of entrepreneurs. A recent EY survey revealed that they are approaching their business with a productive and intentional mindset, allowing them to be fully present when at work and heavily focused on innovation. More from HRD Connect:
https://www.hrdconnect.com/2025/06/04/how-to-work-healthier-in-2025/
Psychological safety at work is as important as a healthy P&L
A healthy bottom line doesn’t guarantee a healthy culture. In fact, record profits can often hide deep-rooted issues like burnout, fear of speaking up, and toxic team dynamics. If your people don’t feel safe to raise concerns, share ideas, or be themselves, long-term success is at risk. In this article, HR Director explore why psychological safety needs to be tracked and prioritised like your P&L, and how to build a workplace where openness, inclusion, and wellbeing are the norm:
https://www.thehrdirector.com/features/health-and-wellbeing/psychological-safety-work-important-healthy-pl/
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7. Just In Case You Missed It...... ⚓︎
The Importance of SI 146 2000 – Fair Procedures and Natural Justice
Despite the fact that the Unfair Dismissals Act was first introduced in the 1970’s and the SI Code of Practice that governs fair procedures was introduced in 2000, employers seem to be continuing to make the same common mistakes when investigating employees and implementing disciplinary sanctions against them.
Roisin Boyle, Employment Lawyer, SIPTU explains how to adhere to fair procedures in your disciplinary process here:
https://legal-island.ie/employment-law-hub/the-importance-of-si-146-2000-fair-procedures-and-natural-justice
Q&A: How has Ireland's remote working legislation evolved one year after implementation?
In this Q&A, Fiona Stinson provides guidance on remote working. It’s been over a year since Ireland’s remote working legislation, the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 came into effect. Since its introduction, nine employee complaints under the Act have been decided on by the WRC. Only one of these cases found in favour of the employee. Read her insights here:
https://legal-island.ie/employment-law-hub/q-a-irelands-remote-working-legislation-one-year-on
8. HR Developments ⚓︎
How new job trends show our deteriorating relationship with work
There has been quite a change in many people's attitude to how they earn a living and work increasingly doesn't feel like it's working. John-Paul Byrne, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, looks at the changes in this article for RTÉ:
https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2025/0514/1512732-work-jobs-trends-quitting-resignation-stress-burnout/
Policies, procedures and prevention are key to beating bribery
A project director at nuclear power plant Hinkley Point C was sacked after he was found to have accepted bribes in exchange for guaranteeing extra work to a particular engineering firm. Despite the evidence of gross misconduct, his employer was found at an employment tribunal to have unfairly dismissed him, as correct procedures weren’t followed. To avoid the same mistake, employers must understand how to prevent bribery and address cases compliantly if they do come to light. More from People Management:
https://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1920156/policies-procedures-prevention-key-beating-bribery
The New Era of Business Leadership
Level up leadership development in your organization by addressing management skills gaps and designing programs that fill your pipeline. This guide from Paylocity explains why leadership development and succession planning are important, provides tips and tools for conducting a skills gap assessment, outlines key considerations for program design, and offers strategies to improve leadership effectiveness. You can download it here:
https://www.paylocity.com/resources/library/guides/the-new-era-of-business-leadership/
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9. Employment News in the Media
Tech Giant Microsoft has started to lay off almost 3% of its global workforce. The company has not disclosed the total number of job cuts, but it will amount to approximately 6,000 people reports the Journal:
https://www.thejournal.ie/microsoft-cutting-almost-3-of-jobs-6704113-May2025/?utm_source=thejournal&utm_content=top-stories
Just 15 per cent of the new planners sought by city and county managers two years ago to speed up the delivery of new housing have been recruited, latest figures show. While delays in the planning process are cited by developers, builders and utilities as a big reason for the undersupply of housing, the planning departments of local authorities remain understaffed by hundreds of posts, with only slow progress in filling the vacancies. The Irish Times has more on this:
https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/housing-planning/2025/06/03/planners-needed-to-speed-up-housing-delivery-not-hired/
Ibec has warned that Ireland's current public investment model for research and innovation does not match the country’s ambition to become a European Innovation Leader. In a new report published as part of its Business Ambition campaign, Ibec said Ireland must increase public investment in research and innovation to 1% of Gross National Income by 2035. More here:
https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0603/1516319-ibec-investment/
10. Friends of Legal Island ⚓︎
A&L Goodbody wins two prestigious European awards
A&L Goodbody was recognised in two categories at the prestigious Chambers Europe Awards 2025 held in Madrid. The two winning awards are Irish Law Firm of the Year and DEI Outstanding Firm. They were also shortlisted in the Pro Bono Outstanding Firm category.
Congratulations from Legal Island! Read more here:
https://www.algoodbody.com/insights-publications/news/al-goodbody-wins-two-prestigious-european-awards
11. Free Webinars This Month
Case Law Insights: Getting Fair Procedures in the Disciplinary Process Right
🗓 Thursday, 19th June 2025
🕚 11:00 – 12:00 (1 hour)
💻 Online
Register HERE
Is it just us, or do disciplinary hearings feel like a legal minefield? ⚖️💣
Join us for this FREE webinar where we’ll untangle the tricky business of fair procedures in disciplinary processes in the workplace, a topic that’s landed more than a few employers in hot water lately.
We’ll be asking (and answering) the questions on everyone’s mind:
• What are fair procedures, really — and who decides what's “fair”?
• Does every employee have a right to representation at disciplinary meetings? What about legal representation?
• Do employees on probation have the same rights?
• And when it comes to appeals are we talking full re-hearings or just looking at the specific grounds raised by the employee?
Sound confusing? You're not alone but we've got you covered!
The Workplace Relations Commission has been cracking down, with a wave of recent decisions going against employers, not because the dismissal wasn’t justified, but because the process wasn’t up to scratch.
The takeaway? Even if your reasons are solid, a poor process can cost you, big time.
That’s why this session is a must for HR professionals, managers, and anyone involved in employee relations.
Laura McKee, Knowledge Partner at Legal Island will be joined with expert legal speakers Patrick Barrett, Barrister-at-Law and Roisin Boyle, Trade Union and Employment Lawyer, SIPTU. Together they will explore:
1. How to apply fair procedures in line with the Code of Practice (S.I. 146/2000)
2. Real-life lessons from recent WRC case law
3. Practical tips to help you stay compliant and avoid costly mistakes
🎁 Plus, get an exclusive preview of Legal Island’s new and improved Employment Law Hub —your go-to resource for staying confident and compliant.
Don’t miss out. Book your place now and make sense of fair procedures in your disciplinary process once and for all!
Check out previous discussions:
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Conducting Workplace Investigations and Alternative Conflict Resolution Methods