5 Must-Knows This Week:

1. Ireland’s labour market hits a record breaking year as jobs surge 📈
2. Know your rights when freezing weather keeps you home from work ❄️
3. Government shuts the door on extra sick days despite earlier promises 🚪
4. Join our Skill Builder for HR on making AI work fairly in hiring 🤖
5. 5 workplace habits to leave behind in 2026 for good 🚀

And in other news....Dealing with cross-border workplace issues? Advance your expertise with a recognised, accredited Northern Irish employment law qualification, studied flexibly from home or the office. Legal Island and Ulster University’s Postgraduate Certificate in NI Employment Law and Practice starts on 15 January. There's still time to apply. Find out more HERE.

1. Case Law Reviews
2. AI and Employment Law
3. 2025 in Review
4. Employment Law in 2026
5. 'Door firmly closed' on increased sick days for workers, despite previous commitment
6. Cross-border Employment
7. Remote Working
8. Youth and Employment
9. Updated Employment Agencies List
10. Just In Case You Missed It....
11. HR Developments
12. Employment News in the Media
13. Health and Safety Developments
14. Friends of Legal Island
15. Free Webinars This Month 

Rana Shaheer Ebrahim v Board Of Governors And Guardians National Gallery Of Ireland ADJ-00054700

Summary: The WRC found that the termination of the complainant’s agency engagement was due to repeated lateness rather than race or religion, and that no prima facie case of discrimination was established.

Practical Guidance for Employers: 

Employers should ensure that induction, rostering and time-keeping systems are robust and consistent, especially where access cards and electronic clocking are used. When technical issues arise, they should be recorded, quickly resolved and, where appropriate, manually corrected in attendance records. Clear, written contracts and employee handbooks help manage expectations around start times, breaks, dress code and standards of conduct. Where attendance or performance concerns emerge, employers should follow a structured process. Namely, early informal feedback, written warnings where necessary, and agreed improvement plans. Temporary or agency staff should be managed to the same procedural standards as directly employed staff, and communication with the agency should be documented. Finally, all alleged incidents of bullying, harassment or discrimination, particularly those involving race or religion, must be treated as serious complaints.

Read the full Review here: Rana Shaheer Ebrahim v Board Of Governors And Guardians National Gallery Of Ireland

Inmar Iomer v Bidvest Noonan Ltd Industrial ADJ-00059843

Summary: The WRC held that the employer lawfully deducted training costs from the complainant’s final wages as the repayment obligation was clearly agreed in writing and formed part of the contract of employment.

Practical Guidance for Employers: 

Employers who fund employee training should ensure that all repayment obligations are clearly documented in writing and expressly incorporated into the contract of employment. Any agreement to repay training costs should specify the circumstances in which repayment arises, the amount recoverable, and the method of recovery. Having the employee sign such an agreement in advance is crucial, as it provides contractual authority for any future deduction. When making deductions from wages, employers should strictly comply with the Payment of Wages Act 1991 by ensuring the deduction is authorised by statute, contract, or by prior written consent. Deductions should be clearly explained in advance and accurately reflected on payslips, including the nature and amount of the deduction. Transparency reduces the risk of disputes and strengthens the employer’s position if a complaint arises. Finally, employers should consider proportionality when recovering sums owed, particularly from final wages. While a single deduction may be lawful, employers should assess whether alternative arrangements such as instalments are appropriate.

Read the full Review here: Inmar Iomer v Bidvest Noonan Ltd Industrial

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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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Skill Builder for HR: Making AI Work Fairly in Hiring

📅 Wednesday, 28 January 2026 
⏰12:30 - 14:00 ( 1 hour 30 mins ) 
📍Online

Part of the Skill Builder for HR: 6 x 6 series, monthly, 90-minute practical HR and employment law sessions designed exclusively for senior HR professionals and business leaders. James Hutt, Consultant from Paradigm Junction discusses how AI tools are reshaping how organisations source, screen, and select candidates and how to design recruitment workflows that use AI responsibly and transparently. More here.

Good news: AI won't take your job in 2026. Bad news: you can't ignore it

Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski announced the buy-now-pay-later firm stopped hiring a year ago, claiming that AI can do most of the jobs that humans do. Chief executive of AI firm Nvidia, Jensen Huang, has argued that workers are not going to lose their jobs to AI – but they could lose it to somebody who uses AI. These opposing views capture a crucial tension as generative AI rapidly transforms workplaces. But research suggests the reality is more complex than either complete job displacement or simple augmentation. More from RTÉ.

AI for HR Weekly Podcast with Barry Phillips 🎙️

This week's episode: Who would dare make a prediction for 2026 in the world of AI? Our Chairman apparently…!

You can tune into the latest episode right here - or, if you’re on the move, why not take us with you?

Listen on all major platforms: 🎧 Spotify🎧 Amazon Music 🎧 Apple Podcasts

Simply search for “AI for HR Weekly Podcast” and enjoy expert insights anytime, anywhere.

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Record Year for the Irish Labour Market

The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke has highlighted that the Irish labour market saw sustained employment growth, rising labour force participation and record job numbers in 2025:

•    Employment up 61,500  in the first three quarter of 2025, with over 1,000 jobs created per week for 2025
•    Record 2.82 million people now at work in the Irish Economy
•    Ireland has one of lowest unemployment rates in the EU

More here.

2025 in Review - Workplace Relations Commission decisions

RTÉ provides an overview of some key and interesting hearings that took place over the last 12 months.  You can catch up here.

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Changes ahead for Irish employment law in 2026

Lynda Nyhan, partner and head of the employment team at Taylor Wessing, makes predictions for employment law in 2026 in this article for Irish Legal News.

What are the workplace trends we're going to see in 2026?

Expect a lot of watercooler chatter around the increasing use of AI, hybrid work and the changing nature of how we learn on the job according to this article by Claire Gubbins, DCU for RTÉ. Read more.

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The door has been "firmly closed" on increased worker sick days, the enterprise minister has said. The previous government’s policy, under legislation introduced in 2022, was to expand paid sick leave to 10 days, with seven days promised in 2025, but this commitment was rolled back by the current government over concerns of cost to businesses. The Irish Examiner has more on this story.

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CJEU ruling: Employers beware – the employee’s habitual place of work may change during the course of employment and, in turn, the law governing the relationship.

In its recent ruling (Case C-485/24), the CJEU clarified how to determine the law applicable to an employment contract when the habitual place of work changes throughout the relationship. Employers must thus be particularly cautious when dealing with employees in cross-border employment relationships within the EU in order to ensure compliance in the right jurisdiction, as a change of the employee’s habitual place of work may result in a change of the applicable law and, consequently, of the employee protections afforded. Freshfields provides guidance.

Síobhra Rush comments on cross-border employment ‘minefield' for the Irish Independent

From data protection to tax and auto-enrolment, employing remote workers across borders presents complex risks for employers and staff-Síobhra Rush, Lewis Silkin LL offers key insights for the Irish Independent.

Ulster University’s Postgraduate Certificate in NI Employment Law and Practice

Working cross-border? Advance your expertise with a recognised, accredited Northern Irish employment law qualification, studied flexibly from home or the office. Legal Island and Ulster University’s Postgraduate Certificate in NI Employment Law and Practice starts on 15 January. There's still time to apply. Find out more HERE.

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Remote working: Employers should work with staff but they cannot solve traffic jams

Denis O’Brien caused a stir when he hit out at remote working. While Damien McCarthy does not concur with all of Mr O'Brien's points, he welcomes a rare voice speaking up for employers in this article for the Irish Examiner. More here. 

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Youth unemployment rises for eighth consecutive month to 14%

The youth unemployment rate has increased every month since May 2025, and on an annual basis, has risen from just 11.8%. Almost 8,000 more young people are now unemployed compared to December 2024, figures from the CSO show. More from the Irish Examiner.

Apprenticeships in Ireland becoming ‘virtually impossible’

It’s becoming increasingly difficult for young people in Ireland to access apprenticeships, according to construction industry professionals. On Lunchtime Live with Andrea Gilligan, Jim Ahern, co-owner of Trade Path and a bricklayer by trade, described the current system as “virtually impossible” for school leavers unless they already know a contractor or builder. NewsTalk has more on this:

And…

CEO of the world’s biggest recruiter says Gen Z grads need to consider trade and hospitality jobs that don’t even require degrees

Millions of Gen Zers are facing unemployment as entry-level office roles get absorbed by AI, and millennials are regretting taking out thousands in student loans for careers that now have significantly diminished prospects. Now, the CEO of the world’s biggest talent company, Randstad, has confirmed what many young grads are already fearing: The traditional college-to-office pipeline is dead. Fortune magazine has more.

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You can find the updated Licenced Agencies list as at 01/01/2026 here.

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Q&A: What the Labour Court decision in Accenture v Tandel tells us about waiver agreements

Stay ahead of the curve with our exclusive Q&A series, brought to you by leading law firm, A&L Goodbody LLP, designed to answer your most pressing legal questions. These expert insights provide clear guidance to ensure your HR practices remain compliant and protect your organisation.  In this Q&A, Jeff Greene and Seán Gunning provide guidance on what the Labour Court’s decision in Accenture Limited v Sejal Tandel. Read it in full here.

HR transformation, now featuring AI

For many HR leaders, artificial intelligence comes with a mix of curiosity and concern. On one hand, AI promises efficiency and insight. On the other, it raises uncomfortable questions around job security, ethics, bias and the future role of HR itself. The most common, and most damaging, mistake organisations make is framing AI as a threat to be managed rather than a partner to be embraced. Want to know more? Read the full article by Jacqui Saunders, Director, JQ Consult Ltd here.

New Year, Smarter Wellbeing Strategy

As the new year begins, it’s tempting to rush into resolutions and quick fixes. Organisations can often fall into the same trap with wellbeing—jumping straight to new apps or programmes. The most valuable first step is to pause, take stock, and run a practical organisational health check: what’s working, what’s under‑utilised, and where the real gaps are. Read more from Andrew Magill, Head of Wellbeing, Incorporate Benefits.

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Five work habits to drop in 2026

If you want 2026 to be the year you work with clarity and purpose, drop these five habits, according to the Journal.

The HR & L&D trends that will define 2026

Big change is coming for HR and L&D in 2026, and standing still isn’t an option. From AI and skills gaps to retention headaches and hybrid work tensions, what should leaders focus on? Let’s break down the seven trends shaping the year ahead in this article from the Training Journal.

Giving employees agency in 2026

Employee disengagement is a crisis. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2025 report, global employee engagement has declined to just 21% — meaning roughly four out of five employees do not describe themselves as engaged at work. Here’s how HR can give employees the power to act on survey data and drive measurable change with guidance from HR Director. Access the full article here.

Difficult Conversations – A Smarter Way to Disagree

To foster constructive disagreements, organizations should encourage individuals to modify their observable behaviours during conflicts. This article from Harvard Business Review provides tips to help you retain key relationships when delivering difficult messages. Find out more.

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The Labour Court has rejected a bid by the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) to have the pay of some senior staff at the new technological universities linked to their Dublin-based counterparts. The union says only a small number of staff are directly impacted, but that the dispute has implications for the 4,600 lecturers and academic managers and its campaign for pay parity across the wider sector. More from the Irish Times.

The HSE has been ordered to pay €20,000 compensation to a senior pharmacist who lost out on promotion because of a discriminatory job requirement that negatively affected part-time workers. The WRC ruled that the HSE has breached the Employment Equality Act 1998 by discriminating against Marie Ronan on grounds of gender and family status. It also found that the HSE had subjected the pharmacist to less favourable treatment in breach of the Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001. Breaking News has more on this.

RTÉ reports FTSE 100 bosses will have to work less than three days of 2026 to overtake the average annual salary of a full-time UK worker, according to new research. The High Pay Centre estimates that the earnings of FTSE 100 chief executives will surpass the average pay of British workers just before midday today. It calculates that the average yearly salary for chief executives of UK blue chips stands at £4.4m, equivalent to an hourly rate of £1,353.23 and 113 times more than the £39,039 typical salary of a full-time UK worker. Read here.

SIPTU has called on the Government to honour a commitment to present legalisation to tackle the practice of paying apprentices less than the national minimum wage, in order to combat youth poverty and ensure there is enough skilled workers to carry out major state infrastructure projects including home building. More here. 

A disciplinary appeals body has temporarily agreed not to take any further steps in reviewing the dismissal of Enoch Burke from Wilson's Hospital School. Mr Burke, who is in prison for civil contempt relating to the dispute with the school, sought a temporary injunction against the Disciplinary Appeals Panel (DAP) at the High Court on Thursday. RTÉ News has more on this story. 

A teacher who was jailed for stealing over €100,000 from the school where he was a principal has been suspended by his regulatory body from working as a teacher for a period of one month. An inquiry panel of the Teaching Council imposed the sanction on the teacher after a fitness-to-teach inquiry found that he had been convicted by a Circuit Court of an offence triable on indictment which also impacted on his fitness to teach. More from RTÉ.

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Rules and your rights on staying home from work when it's freezing cold

Irish employers must maintain minimum workplace temperatures of 17.5C for office work, with experts explaining what workers can do during the cold snap in this article for RSVP Live.

Sharp rise in work-related deaths in 2025

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has published provisional figures showing that 58 people died in work-related incidents during 2025, representing a 61% increase on the 36 who died in 2024. The agriculture sector, with 23 deaths, accounted for the highest number of fatalities, representing 40% of all work-related deaths last year from a sector employing around 4% of the workforce, reports RTÉ.

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Huge congratulations to Sarah Faulkner at Arthur Cox on her recent appointment as Partner in the employment team 🎉

We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Arthur Cox for our upcoming event, Pay Transparency: Preparing HR, where Sarah will be one of our expert speakers.

Join us online on the morning of 24 February 2026 for what promises to be an insightful and timely discussion.

Check out the full programme here.

More on Sarah's appointment from Irish Legal News.

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MCS Lunch & Learn: Level Up Your Recruitment Strategy for 2026

📅Tuesday 20th of January 2026
⏰12 noon – 12:45 p.m.
📍Online

Think you’ve seen it all in recruitment? Think again. Join us for a free 45-minute lunchtime webinar on 20th of January 2026, hosted by Legal Island in partnership with MCS Group, and get the inside scoop on what’s really shaping hiring and how to hit the ground running in 2026.

What to expect:

• Understand how last year’s shifts in HR roles, sector trends and candidate expectations are shaping recruitment in 2026
• Explore how candidates and employers are using AI from CV optimisation to predictive hiring and what it means for your strategy
• Practical tips to reduce costs, streamline workflows and make automation work with your people, not against them

Stay ahead of salary trends, new role types and sector specific insights that will define the year ahead!

Julie will host a live Q and A with recruitment experts Rebekah Mulligan, Senior Recruitment Consultant - HR – MCS UK & Ireland and Associate Recruitment Consultant Tara Duffy, so you leave with answers, ideas and a sharper 2026 hiring toolkit.

Sign up for your free place here.

Check out previous discussions:
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