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.
Where HR Policies Meet Haute Couture ✨While Barry Keoghan turned heads at the Met Gala with his Valentino suit and dramatic red sash, our newsletter is here to ensure your employment practices are tailored to perfection—no fashion faux pas allowed in the workplace! 👔
⏱️ Short on time? Read this - Your top 5 essentials this week ⬇️
- 🍴 Sous Chef awarded €34,999.99 – WRC finds against employer for failing on working hours & rest breaks.
- 📱 TikTok Fined €530M – DPC delivers a hefty penalty for data protection missteps.
- 🏠 Remote Work – First-ever WRC compensation for failing to address remote work requests.
- 👩⚖️ Women’s Career Fears – A third worry health issues will hold them back at work.
- 💸 Pensions Pressure – Finance pros demand gov’t help SMEs with auto-enrolment.
And in other news..............the robots aren't just coming—they’ve got legal backing. 🤖 AI literacy isn’t just a trendy buzzword—it’s your new legal headache. Join our FREE webinar to find out what AI literacy actually means at work, how to roll it out across your org without losing your mind, and what could happen if you ignore it (spoiler: it’s not great). Register 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 ⚓︎
Mark Alcock v Knights Tower Trading Limited t/a Knightsbrook Hotel Spa and Golf Resort
Summary: WRC awarded Sous Chef €34,999.99 for employer’s breaches regarding working time and rest breaks under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
Practical Guidance for Employers:
Employers should:
- Be fully aware of their statutory duties under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. This includes ensuring that employees do not exceed an average of 48 working hours per week over the relevant reference period and are afforded daily and weekly rest periods. Ignorance of these obligations is not a defence; the law imposes a strict responsibility to actively prevent excessive working hours.
- Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of employee hours worked. Employers should implement timekeeping systems and ensure that line managers or general managers consistently monitor compliance. Delegation of oversight does not absolve the business of liability i.e. if systems are ineffective, the employer remains accountable.
- Monitor senior staff’s hours. While senior staff (such as department heads) may have autonomy in managing their teams, employers must not presume this equates to control over their own working time. Where the business needs dictate extended hours, the employer must acknowledge that the statutory protections continue to apply.
- Respond promptly and transparently to queries or complaints. Failure to investigate or rectify such issues may lead to WRC claims and financial penalties. It is prudent to resolve matters internally where possible and seek legal or HR advice early, if needed.
Read the full Review here:
Mark Alcock v Knights Tower Trading Limited t/a Knightsbrook Hotel Spa and Golf Resort [2025]
Wayne Murphy v ESB
Summary: Employers must ensure recruitment complies with equality legislation.
Practical Guidance for Employers:
Employers should:
- Ensure that all recruitment processes are conducted in strict compliance with the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2015, which prohibit discrimination on nine grounds, including age. To mitigate risk, employers should implement structured, objective interview scoring systems and retain written records justifying recruitment decisions based on merit and business needs.
- Ensure recruitment advertisements and job descriptions avoid language that could suggest preference or bias based on age or any other protected ground. Selection criteria must relate strictly to qualifications, experience, and the requirements of the role. Transparency and documentation are critical in defending against potential claims before the WRC.
- Facilitate where an unsuccessful candidate seeks feedback; i.e., responses should be clear, factual, and limited to lawful grounds. Employers are not obliged to disclose the personal data of other candidates under data protection law but should be able to show the selection process was fair and non-discriminatory.
- Ensure hiring panels are trained on equality obligations. Periodic equality audits and review of internal hiring practices are recommended to maintain compliance with the Acts and avoid unintentional bias or assumptions that could expose the employer to liability.
Read the full Review here:
Wayne Murphy v ESB [2025]
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 ⚓︎
Artificial Intelligence Resources
Legal Island's Chairman, Barry Phillips, cuts through the noise and explains what Irish businesses need to know in this useful post:
(7) Post | Linked
Of particular relevance is the Guidelines for the Responsible Use of AI in the Public Service:
https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-ndp-delivery-and-reform/publications/guidelines-for-the-responsible-use-of-ai-in-the-public-service/
AI has the potential to transform how the public service works, develops and delivers policy and services, and addresses challenges we face as a country. Government’s public service transformation strategy, Better Public Services, commits to delivering digitally enabled services and functions, using technology to tackle big societal issues and drive change, and achieve seamless and inclusive user experiences. Government recognises the important role AI will have in achieving these aims and has developed Guidelines for the Responsible Use of AI in the Public Service to support the impactful, responsible use of AI. See all of the resources here:
https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-ndp-delivery-and-reform/publications/artificial-intelligence-resources/
William Fry: Two-thirds of business leaders say AI is boosting productivity
Around two-thirds of business leaders in Ireland believe AI is improving productivity, a survey carried out by law firm William Fry suggests. The firm’s annual AI summit at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre yesterday brought together senior executives, policymakers and legal specialists to hear how AI is progressing from tactical deployment to enterprise-wide strategic transformation. More from Irish Legal News:
https://www.irishlegal.com/articles/william-fry-two-thirds-of-business-leaders-say-ai-is-boosting-productivity
Research: Do LLMs Have Values?
The team at AI Alt Lab study AI ethics and policy, and recently they had an idea: Why not investigate what happens when you ask popular generative Large Language Models (LLMs) to rank their values using this same questionnaire? The results in this article from Harvard Business Review may surprise you:
https://hbr.org/2025/05/research-do-llms-have-values
Skills and costs hold SMEs back on digital transformation
New research reveals 60% of firms avoid using new technology because of costs. As part of a mission to resolve this, Vodafone Business Ireland has joined Tech Hub Ireland as its newest strategic technology partner, Enterprise Nation has confirmed. You can read more on this from Think Business:
https://www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/small-business-digital-transformation-vodafone-tech-hub/
Is AI Coming for Anyone Who Doesn't Do AI — Or Just Everyone?
In this thought-provoking podcast episode, Barry Phillips unpacks the growing influence of artificial intelligence on HR and employment law. He explores whether AI is a threat to those who resist it—or a challenge for everyone. A must-listen for employers seeking clarity on compliance, capability and the future of work.
Is AI Coming for Anyone Who Doesn't Do AI — Or Just Everyone?
3. Pensions ⚓︎
Finance professionals want government to assist SMEs with auto-enrolment
Two-thirds (66%) of finance professionals want the government to do more to support businesses to prepare for the roll-out of the pension auto-enrolment scheme, according to accountancy body ACCA Ireland. The introduction of the My Future Fund scheme, which would see employers and the State contribute towards private pensions for workers, was recently delayed from the end of September to the start of 2026. Business Plus has more on this story here.
4. Trump Tariffs ⚓︎
Trump film tariffs could hit thousands of jobs in Ireland, industry figures warn
Thousands of jobs in the Irish film and television industry could be affected if US president Donald Trump presses ahead with threats of 100 per cent tariffs on films made outside of the United States, say prominent industry figures. There is a lack of clarity, however, as to what is intended, what tariffs might apply to and how they would be levied, reports the Irish Times:
https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025/05/05/trump-film-tariffs-could-hit-thousands-of-jobs-in-ireland-industry-figures-warn/
US tariffs threaten Irish growth and jobs, according to Finance Department
The Department of Finance has warned that the continuation of 10% US tariffs would have a significant impact on Ireland’s economic performance in 2026. New projections suggest that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) could fall by 1.5 percentage points under this scenario reports Business Plus:
https://businessplus.ie/news/us-tariffs-economy/
Big Four accounting firm PwC to slash 1,500 US jobs
PwC is laying off about 1,500 employees in the US, becoming the latest Big Four firm to make cuts in the wake of historically low staff turnover. The lay-offs amount to 2 per cent of PwC US’s 75,000 workforce and were concentrated mainly in its audit and tax businesses, according to people familiar with the matter. The Irish Times has more on this:
https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2025/05/06/big-four-accounting-firm-pwc-to-slash-1500-us-jobs/
5. Data Protection ⚓︎
Irish Data Protection Commission fines TikTok €530 million
The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) has ruled that TikTok violated GDPR regulations by unlawfully transferring personal data of EEA users to China and failing to provide sufficient transparency about these transfers. As a result, TikTok has been fined €530 million and given six months to comply with data protection standards. If the company fails to comply within this timeframe, the decision mandates a suspension of its data transfers to China. More from the Data Protection Commission:
https://www.dataprotection.ie/en/news-media/latest-news/irish-data-protection-commission-fines-tiktok-eu530-million-and-orders-corrective-measures-following
Event: Data Protection Update Ireland - 28th May
When you hear 'data protection', your soul quietly leaves your body. But not this time. JOIN us for Data Protection Annual Update 2025 on 28 May - an essential (and yes, enjoyable) event tailored for HR professionals who’d rather not find out the hard way that a “casual note” about Dave from Accounts is actually discoverable in a workplace investigation. You'll also learn how to avoid a cyber security attack! 🔍🕵️♂️
6. Whistleblowing ⚓︎
Keelings fails in bid to have claim heard in private
The Keelings fruit and vegetable group has failed in an attempt to have allegations of whistleblower penalisation and multiple employment rights breaches by a former employee heard entirely behind closed doors. At the WRC on Wednesday, an adjudicator told the firm's representatives that the prospect of "certain people being named" in connection with the case was not reason enough to justify hearing the matter out of the public eye. RTÉ has more:
https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2025/0507/1511574-keelings-at-wrc/
WRC rejects penalisation claims by veteran SIPTU official
A veteran SIPTU official who claimed she was penalised for blowing the whistle on alleged wrongdoing at a senior level in the organisation has lost her case at the WRC. Ger Malone, a longstanding organiser with the union, had claimed she was "conspired against" when she was voted out of her position as chair of SIPTU's staff representative council after blowing the whistle on what she termed "a litany of wrongdoings" at the trade union and in local government. More on this story from RTÉ:
https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2025/0507/1511541-wrc-siptu-officials-case/
Back to Top
7. Remote Working ⚓︎
Salesforce ordered to pay €1,000 over delay in response to 550km office commute
A recruiter at Salesforce who moved to the west of Ireland with his family under a remote work arrangement - only to be ordered back to an office 275km away after less than a year - is the first person to win compensation for a breach of legislation which came into force last year. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) made the award solely for the business software company's failure to respond in time to a formal request for a remote work arrangement by the worker, Thomas Farrell, after he was told last year that he was required back in the office three to four times a week. RTÉ has more here:
https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2025/0506/1511347-salesforce-to-pay-1k-over-delay-in-response-to-commute/
This case is the first award for breach of the remote working legislation. Read more from Irish Legal News on this:
https://www.irishlegal.com/articles/first-award-for-breach-of-remote-working-legislation
Back to Top
8. Updated Licensed Employment Agencies List ⚓︎
The full list is available here:
https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/publications_forms/current_employment_agency_list.pdf
Back to Top
9. Just In Case You Missed It.... ⚓︎
Q&A: What does the 'Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025' mean for employers?
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, Aoife Brady provides guidance on what to expect...What does the “Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025” mean for employers with a mandatory contractual retirement age of 65? Read the full article on the Hub here:
https://legal-island.ie/employment-law-hub/q-a-what-does-the-employment--contractual-retirement--ages-bill-2025-mean-for-employers
Top Employment Law Cases
Duncan Inverarity, Partner, A&L Goodbody has summarised the top employment law cases of 2023 & 2024 that you need to know. Check out this week's important cases from 2023:
Ray O’Sullivan v The HSE [2023]
Consultant suspended for unauthorised medical procedures; Supreme Court upheld HSE’s decision, affirming careful, evidence-based use of discretion. Read more here:
Ray O’Sullivan v The HSE [2023]
A Worker v A Massage Therapy Business [2023]
The complainant was a massage parlour worker who was dismissed after refusing to provide "sexual services" to her male boss and clients of the respondent. Find out more here:
A Worker v A Massage Therapy Business [2023]
10. HR Developments ⚓︎
A third of women fear disclosing female health issues will impact career
New research from Irish Life Health has revealed a significant concern among women in the workplace, with one in three are afraid that disclosing female health issues could negatively affect their career progression.The study highlights that 29% of women have taken sick leave to manage female health-related conditions, while nearly 1 in 5 (18%) opt to use their annual leave instead. Younger women are particularly impacted, with 43% of those aged 16–34 taking sick leave, and 31% resorting to unpaid leave to manage their health needs. Read full article in BusinessPlus:
https://businessplus.ie/news/female-health-issues-career/
Bereavement and grief in the workplace
In the workplace, grief can lead to decreased productivity, difficulty concentrating, increased absenteeism, and strained relationships with colleagues, writes Caroline Reidy from the HR Suite in this article for Shelf Life:
https://www.shelflife.ie/bereavement-and-grief-in-the-workplace/
Global HR Law Guide update: Recruitment
The Global HR Law Guide from Ius Laboris takes you through the legal aspects of the entire employment journey, with 16 chapters covering recruitment through pensions in over 50 countries:
https://iuslaboris.com/insights/global-hr-law-guide-update-recruitment/
11. Health and Safety Developments
See updates below from the Annual Conference of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation...
Nurses to call for extreme weather compensation
The annual conference of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) will hear a call for nurses and midwives who attend work during extreme weather conditions to receive "timely and adequate" compensation. Other issues of concern include assaults, safety, staffing numbers, housing, and the privatisation of older person's healthcare. More from RTÉ:
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/0507/1511391-inmo-conference/
Nurses dealing with exhaustion, burnout and stress - INMO
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has warned that many of its members are experiencing exhaustion, burnout and stress, alongside compromised patient care, due to staff shortages. Delegates at the INMO annual conference, which opened in Co Wexford, are debating a range of motions on issues such as staffing, safety and assaults on nurses. RTÉ has more:
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/0507/1511391-inmo-conference/
12. Employment News in the Media ⚓︎
A Kerry haulage firm has been ordered to pay €30,000 compensation to a female truck driver who it discriminated against on grounds of gender over how it applied reduced working hours to staff. The WRC ruled that Brennan’s Licensed Hauliers Kilflynn Limited breached the Employment Equality Act 1998 over the manner in which it laid off Sinead Allen. WRC adjudication officer, Úna Glazier-Farmer, praised the courage of Ms Allen in making the complaint given she operated in “a male-dominated profession” and said the award of €30,000 compensation should serve “as a deterrent to discrimination.” Breaking News has more here:
https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/kerry-haulage-firm-fined-e30k-for-gender-discrimination-against-female-driver-1759265.html
Astronomy Ireland founder David Moore has abandoned a tribunal hearing into claims of workplace rights breaches by a former manager at organisation who has accused him of “pocketing” money meant for it. A WRC adjudicator told Mr Moore his approach to the case – which has been repeatedly adjourned since last June – had the appearance of “delay, delay, delay” so the matter would “never be heard”. Irish Times has more:
https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2025/05/02/astronomy-ireland-founder-and-solicitor-walk-out-of-wrc-hearing/
A cleaner who was sacked after smuggling a mobile phone into an institution for prisoners with mental disorders has lost a case for unfair dismissal against her former employer. Lina Leliugiene worked for Derrycourt Cleaning Specialists Limited at the National Forensic Mental Health Services in Portrane, which also accommodates those found not guilty of crimes by reason of insanity. An adjudication hearing of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) was told that there was “airport-like security” at the hospital, which was described as “a facility for mentally ill patients and prisoners”. You can read more on this from the Irish Mirror:
https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/cleaner-who-smuggled-phone-central-35177468
13. Free Webinars This Month
AI Literacy in Action: What It Is, How to Deliver It, and Why It Matters
🗓 Wednesday, 14 May 2025
🕚 11:00 – 11:30 (30 mins)
💻 Online
Register HERE.
Is your organisation prepared for the new AI compliance era?
With the EU AI Act now in force, for many employers AI literacy is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s a legal and operational necessity. This webinar will explain exactly what AI literacy means in the context of today’s workplace, how to effectively deliver it across your organisation, and the consequences of failing to act.
Join us for a practical and informative session tailored to HR, compliance, learning & development, and leadership teams. Learn how to safeguard your organisation while empowering staff to use AI responsibly, ethically, and in compliance with evolving legislation.
You’ll gain insight into:
• Why is everyone talking about AI Literacy suddenly?
• What AI literacy looks like in practice—and why it’s broader than just tech know-how
• The risks of low literacy levels for individuals and organisations alike
• The legal implications of the EU AI Act and data protection rules
• Strategies for embedding AI literacy through eLearning and cultural transformation
• How to future-proof your organisation’s use of AI and GenAI tools
• How to measure for improvements in AI Literacy
• What are the costs and risks of doing nothing here?
Speaker: Barry Phillips, Chairman, Legal Island
Barry is a passionate advocate of responsible use of AI in the workplace, arguing that the goal of employers now should be to become “Super worker” organisations where all employees are empowered and upskilled by AI.
He has delivered numerous presentations, webinars and workshops to hundreds of organisations on GenAI since the beginning of 2023. He is also author of “ChatGPT in HR – A Practical Guide for Employers and HR Professionals” (2025), available on Amazon and at other booksellers online.
MCS Lunch and Learn: What Top Recruiters Know that You Don’t (Yet)
🗓 Thursday, 22 May 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.
Enjoy the weekend!
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