Caught Up in 5:

1. AI at work is on the rise... here's how to manage it 🤖
2. 6 in 10 Irish workers feel underpaid or undervalued 💸
3. Dealing with negative people at work... a survival guide 😤
4. 20 year old Disability Act under review... have your say 📢
5. Love the resistance... it's the secret to better change 💚

And in other news....if “whistleblowing training” sounds about as exciting as watching paint dry, think again. This Skill Builder with the Protected Disclosures Commissioner, is packed with real life HR dilemmas, practical tips and expert insights that'll keep you on your toes 🚨

1. Case Law Reviews
2. AI and Employment Law
3. HR Skill Builder: Managing Protected Disclosures
4. Benefits of Remote Work Research
5. Pay
6. Diversity and Inclusion
7. Omniplex ordered to increase compensation to autistic ex-manager
8. Are you a worker who doesn't take all of your annual leave?
9. Just In Case You Missed It....
10. HR Developments
11. Employment News in the Media
12. Free Webinars This Month 

Jenny Walsh v Mid-West Simon Community CLG ADJ-00050962 

Summary: WRC found the dismissal fair, holding that although the case arose from an alleged GDPR breach, the employee was dismissed because she repeatedly failed to attend and engage with the disciplinary process despite clear warnings and multiple opportunities to do so.

Practical Guidance for Employers: 

Employers should:

• Clearly distinguish between the underlying misconduct allegation and any later failure to engage with process. In this case, the Respondent’s position was strengthened because it maintained that dismissal arose not from the GDPR breach alone, but from repeated non-attendance at disciplinary hearings after clear warnings.  
  
  
• Remember, where an employee seeks clarification before attending a disciplinary hearing, employers should respond meaningfully but should also make clear that the disciplinary hearing is the proper forum to raise explanations, objections and mitigation. If non-attendance may itself be treated as misconduct, that must be stated expressly, along with the possibility that the hearing may proceed in the employee’s absence and that dismissal may result.
  
  
• Ensure procedural separation between investigation, disciplinary decision and appeal.  
   
  

Read the full Review here.

A Bus Driver v A Travel Company IR - SC - 00005126 

Summary: The WRC found that the dispute stemmed from unresolved workplace relationship issues during long term sick leave and recommended structured grievance, mediation, and return to work supports rather than attributing fault to either party.

Practical Guidance for Employers: 

Employers should:

• Respond quickly and clearly when employees raise concerns about bullying, harassment, dignity at work, or workplace communications. Even where a matter appears informal, management should document the issue, confirm whether a formal grievance is being made, explain the applicable procedure, and identify the next available stage.  
  
  
• Manage long-term sick leave actively and constructively. Occupational Health referrals are useful, but they should be supported by regular welfare contact, clear communication, and a documented return-to-work pathway. Where medical information is incomplete or held outside the workplace process, employers should request appropriate consent to share reports with the company doctor.  
  
  
• Not allow unresolved interpersonal conflict to drift. Mediation, supported meetings, union involvement, and structured grievance procedures can help restore working relationships before positions harden. Where employees pursue parallel personal injury claims, employers should still use industrial relations processes while keeping legal issues distinct.  
   
  

Read the full Review here.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

AI in HR processes, WRC and court proceedings: Practical guidance for Irish employers

Employers will be aware that AI is becoming an increasingly common, and often unwelcome, feature in internal workplace processes as well as external complaints to the Workplace Relations Commission (“WRC”) and beyond. This article examines the relevant guidance in the area and provides practical guidance for employers grappling with the increased use of AI by employees. Leah Moriarty from RDJ LLP provides guidance here.

EU AI Act – the high-risk classification guidelines explained

On 19 May, the European Commission published draft guidelines defining when an AI system qualifies as ‘high-risk’ under the AI Act, triggering a substantial set of legal obligations. The guidelines are open for consultation until 23 June 2026. Silicon Republic asked tech partners at Dentons Ireland to take a deep dive into these guidelines and answer some of the key questions that organisations are asking.

Study: AI judges risk being too persuadable

Irish Legal News reports AI systems being considered for use in courts and tribunals can be significantly influenced by the quality of legal arguments put before them, according to new research from Maynooth University and University College Dublin. More here.

AI for HR Weekly Podcast with Barry Phillips 🎙️

Hub subscribers are beginning to request that our Chairman, Barry covers a particular AI topic in a future podcast. If you have a request, send it to him directly at barry@legal-island.com - he’ll feel like a DJ from the 80s…...🎧

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 or Apple Podcasts

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

Back to Top

Back to Top

Fórsa trade union to present research on benefits of remote work 

Fórsa, the country's largest public sector trade union, presented research on the benefits of remote working to the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). The research found that flexible working arrangements are delivering improved outcomes. Reduced commuting time, greater productivity and lower work-related expenses were among the main benefits. More from RTÉ.

Back to Top

Government expands Worker Protections with launch of new process

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke has commenced part of the Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) (Amendment) Act 2026, which aims to strengthen protections for workers whose employers cease trading. The Insolvency Payments Scheme protects workers' pay-related entitlements if their employer becomes insolvent. More here.

Majority of Irish workers feel underpaid, with women most dissatisfied

Almost six in ten Irish workers feel either underpaid or undervalued in their jobs, with women significantly more likely than men to believe they are not being rewarded fairly, according to new research from NFP Ireland. A survey of 750 employees conducted by the employee benefits and HR consultancy found that 58% of workers feel underpaid or undervalued at work. More from Business Plus.

Unions recommend acceptance of ambulance pay proposals

SIPTU and Unite are to recommend that their members accept Labour Court proposals aimed at resolving a pay dispute at the National Ambulance Service. The recommendations from the court include pay increases for emergency medical technicians, paramedics, specialist paramedics and paramedic supervisors. Unions said that ambulance workers' terms and conditions will also largely be protected. More from RTÉ.

And you can read the Labour Court’s recommendations in full here. 

Back to Top

20 year old Disability Act to be reviewed

The Minister for Children, Disability & Equality, Norma Foley and Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Emer Higgins have launched a public consultation to inform the review of the Disability Act 2005. Disabled people, their families, carers and representative groups are invited to take part to offer their insight, experience and expertise as part of the process. Closing date for submissions is 9 September 2026 and you can find more information here.

Crèche shut rooms up to 175 times since October due to staff shortages

The Journal reports there have been up to 175 times in which at least one room in a Co Meath crèche has closed due to staffing shortages since October last year, parents of children who attend the centre have said. The frequent closure of rooms at crèches across Ireland is leading parents to take copious amounts of annual leave to care for their children, or having to pay for babysitters on top of their childcare fees. Read here.

Garda retirements set to surge in ‘ticking time-bomb’, projections show

The Irish Times reports the number of Garda members who must retire on age grounds, will total almost 1,700 over the next decade, according to projections. Access the article here.

Seasonal Employment Permit Pilot Scheme 2025 Evaluation Report

This report examines the policy rationale, design and implementation of the 2025 Seasonal Employment Permit Pilot Scheme. It outlines the pilot structure and data gathered from stakeholders. Key findings include:

• Only two employers completed the Approved Seasonal Employer (ASE) process
  
• Of 33 Seasonal Employment Permits granted, only 23 workers ultimately arrived in the State
  
• The majority of failed arrivals stemmed from visa refusals, linked to inadequate employer oversight/ due diligence of the recruitment agents they selected and poor agency practices in source countries.

You can find the full report here. 

Back to Top

OMNIPLEX has been ordered to more than double the compensation it must pay to a former manager who is autistic after appealing a previous Workplace Relations Commission ruling. The WRC ruled in 2024 that Omniplex Cork must pay Dylan O’Riordan €12,000 for failing to provide him with reasonable accommodations for his autism. Omniplex Cork appealed this ruling in the Labour Court but has ruled in O’Riordan’s favour and more than doubled the compensation owed to €29,000. More from the Journal. 

Back to Top

Nearly 40% of Irish employees do not take their full allotment of paid annual leave, with men more likely than women to do so. This article from RTÉ looks at the reasons why. 

Back to Top

The Employment Law Hub is a comprehensive, jurisdiction-specific resource designed for HR professionals, legal advisors, and business leaders. It centralises essential employment law and HR updates, expertly curated and written by leading HR and legal specialists to provide reliable, practical, and authoritative insights. We have over 700+ in depth articles and 1000+ case law reviews. As a subscriber, you have access to all of this. Check it out the full Hub here and below are some recent articles you may have missed.....

Love the resistance – Change better

We’ve all complained about those who resist change – ‘… If only they would move on or move out!’… well let’s turn that around and embrace the resistance at least for a while…in that resistance I have often found truths, insights, critiques and data that were essential to engage with, that made a major difference to the thrust of the change and also the process of that change. Luke Monaghan of Dynamic Partners has more on the Hub.

To what extent does an employer have to facilitate flexible working requests to facilitate childcare needs?

Recent WRC decisions and a significant CJEU ruling highlight the legal risks associated with flexible working requests from working parents and caregivers. This article examines key lessons for employers on meaningful engagement, consistent decision-making, and managing equality-related risks. Read more from Sinead Morgan, Legal Director leading DAC Beachcroft Dublin's employment team.

Back to Top

Workplace Wellbeing: How to deal with negative people at work

Most offices have someone who constantly complains. The risk is emotional contagion, where we absorb and imitate the negativity. This article from the Irish Examiner looks at how to avoid falling into it. More.

When HR Fails to Act, the Risks Extend Far Beyond the Lawsuit

A former director at Nippon Express USA has filed a lawsuit alleging that repeated harassment and discrimination complaints were not adequately addressed by HR and senior leadership. While the case remains unresolved, it underscores the importance of effective investigations, employee trust and psychological safety in maintaining a healthy workplace culture. More from HRD Connect.

Rethinking succession planning: future proofing the board

This article from Business Plus explores how board succession planning is becoming strategic, proactive and skills-focused to strengthen governance, resilience and long-term effectiveness. Read here. 

Back to Top

RTÉ reports a worker was put on administrative leave for sending a mass email to colleagues taking issue with a "shameful" lack of Irish at a State agency - adding that only "real excuses" for not learning the language were being "an anti-Irish racist" or "lazy", a tribunal has heard. The complainant says he was falsely accused of "racial harassment" and put on administrative leave until his contract ran out when he sent the email, ending his two and a half years on the Food Safety Authority of Ireland's communications team. Catch up.

RTÉ reports cardiac surgeries in five hospitals have been cancelled due to a strike by 25 perfusionists, who are members of the Fórsa trade union. Perfusionists are cardiovascular specialists who manage the machines that temporarily take over the work of the heart and lungs during surgery. Fórsa has accused the Health Service Executive of taking a unilateral decision to break a long-standing pay link between perfusionists and medical scientists. More here.

The operator of a Kerry hotel has been ordered to pay €5,000 compensation for discriminating against an Irish night porter by selecting him for redundancy over Ukrainian workers. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ruled that Green Cliff Investments Limited had breached the Employment Equality Act 1998 by discriminating against Thomas O’Reilly on grounds of race. The WRC also found that the company – which operates the Derrynane Hotel which is located outside Caherdaniel, Co Kerry – had unfairly dismissed Mr O’Reilly. Breaking News has more on this.

Bloomberg reports a former audit associate sued CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, alleging his accommodation request to opt out of employer-sponsored social events to avoid triggering his anxiety was at play when the accounting firm fired him last year. Lionel Lim accused CLA of showing a “willful” and “reckless disregard” for his well-being by not exempting him from non-mandatory events like happy hours after he reported suffering from social anxiety, according to the complaint filed in the US District Court. Read here.

Back to Top

Employee Data: What ROI & NI Employers Must Collect, Keep, and Delete

If you missed Crystel Robbins Rynne, CEO of HRLocker's webinar on Wednesday 3 June, you can catch up here.  

Crystel walked us through the full employee journey, from job ads to post‑employment in respect of employee data. She gave real‑world insight into what you can collect, what you shouldn’t keep, and how long each record can stay on file.

Check out previous discussions:
Legal Island's Webinar & Podcasts

Enjoy the weekend!

Legal Island

Back to Top