Essentials of Employment Law in Ireland

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Wednesday, 29 April 2026

09:15 - 13:00 ( 3 hours 45 mins )

Online

2 Half Days - 29th & 30th April

Gain a solid understanding of Ireland-specific employment law in this interactive 2 x half-day online course. Led by expert trainers, the course covers key topics like contracts, disciplinary procedures, dismissals, and grievances, with practical exercises, extensive notes, and eLearning resources to reinforce learning.

Event details

About the event

29th April 2 Half Days - 29th & 30th April

Online Zoom

€515.00 Charity and Small Business rate also available

In Partnership With

Overview

Navigate Ireland's Employment Laws with Confidence

People issues can escalate quickly when managers aren’t fully confident in the basics of employment law.

Whether you’re a line manager, business owner, or HR professional, understanding the essentials of Irish employment law is vital for keeping your workplace fair, compliant, and running smoothly. Our online Essentials of Employment Law course gives line managers, business owners, and HR professionals a practical introduction to the must‑know elements of Irish employment law.

No jargon. Just the key things you need to know to stay compliant and handle everyday people issues the right way.

Delivered over two interactive half-day sessions by employment law specialists, the course covers core topics everyone with people responsibilities should understand, helping reduce risk and promote positive, legally sound decision‑making.

Perfect for anyone who wants:

An overview of the must‑know parts of employment law
Guidance that supports real-world people management
Confidence in handling issues correctly and compliantly
Training that’s easy to fit into a busy schedule
Stay on the right side of the law and support your people with confidence in one accessible, engaging online course

What will be covered?

Sources of employment law and the roles of the Workplace Relations Commission
Contracts of employment
Employment equality and discrimination issues
Fair procedures in discipline and dismissals
Key developments in employment law

Additional learning aids:

In addition to attending the live sessions with our experts, attendees will receive a digital pack of all the notes and slides presented by our experts as well as having exclusive access to the following eLearning programmes to complete in their own time:

Whistleblowing Awareness in the Workplace
Data Protection in the Workplace
Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace

Who should attend this event?

Anyone with a need to know the main building blocks of Irish employment law, including HR Managers, Supervisors, Line Managers, In-house Lawyers and Legal & HR Advisers. Ideal for those new to employment law or seeking a refresher course.

This training is not suitable for those with extensive knowledge of Irish employment law.

Programme

A detailed look at the day's agenda

Here's what to expect at Essentials of Employment Law in Ireland:

Time

Session

09:15 am

Day 1

Welcome & Introduction

An introduction to the first day of the event, with Julie Holmes, Knowledge Partner, Legal Island.

Julie Holmes Knowledge Partner, Legal Island

09:20 am

Irish Employment Law in Context

In this session, Dr Gerry McMahon, HR consultant and former WRC adjudication officer, outlines the legal foundations of employment in Ireland, from legislation and case law to industrial relations and customary practices. This session focuses on the origins of the rules, rather than their day-to-day enforcement. This includes:

The Irish Constitution
Domestic and EU legislation
Case law
Industrial Relations law - collective agreements, Employment Regulation Orders and Sectoral Employment Orders
Custom and practice

Dr. Gerry McMahon MD, Productive Personnel Ltd

09:45 am

Role of the WRC and the Irish Courts’ System for Enforcement of Employment Rights

Where Session 1 explained the sources of law, here we explore how those sources operate in real workplaces. Dr Gerry McMahon outlines the role of the WRC in:

Providing information on employment rights and responsibilities
Conducting workplace inspections
Providing an adjudication service

We will also explore the options for those dissatisfied with a WRC decision or who wish to pursue resolution through alternative forums.

Includes Q&A

Dr. Gerry McMahon MD, Productive Personnel Ltd

10:15 am

Screen Break

10:25 am

The Basics of Contracts of Employment (Part 1)

Contracts of employment put into practice the rights and obligations explored in Sessions 1 and 2. Jennifer Bassett, Senior Associate in Matheson’s Employment, Pensions and Benefits Group, will focus on how contracts are created, the different types of employment, and what employment status really means in today’s workplace.

Types of employment (permanent, fixed term, agency workers, full/part-time)
Employment status (including gig economy)
Formation of a contract of employment – offer, acceptance, consideration, certainty, legally binding

Jennifer Bassett Senior Associate, Matheson's Employment, Pensions and Benefits Group

11:00 am

Refreshment Break

11:30 am

Practical Content of Contracts of Employment (Part 2)

Building on how contracts are formed, this session covers the actual content of contracts, such as written and implied terms, policies, and statutory entitlements. In this session, Rachel Kenny, senior associate in Matheson’s Employment, Pensions and Benefits team, will focus on:

Written terms of employment and other contractual terms, e.g. probation, minimum terms, remote and hybrid working, EU requirements, employee handbooks (including essential policies/procedures), flexible working, SSP
Minimum employment rights in relation to pay, hours, holidays and sickness entitlement (SSP)
Varying contracts of employment

Rachel Kenny Senior Assiociate, Matheson's Employment, Pensions and Benefits Group

12:15 pm

Interactive Exercise – Varying a Contract of Employment and Q&A

Jennifer and Rachel will help you work through scenarios to identify how and when changes can be made to contracts in line with employment law.

Jennifer Bassett Senior Associate, Matheson's Employment, Pensions and Benefits Group

Rachel Kenny Senior Assiociate, Matheson's Employment, Pensions and Benefits Group

12:55 pm

Close of Day 1

09:15 am

Day 2

Welcome to Day 2

With Julie Holmes, Knowledge Partner, Legal Island

Julie Holmes Knowledge Partner, Legal Island

09:20 am

Discrimination and Employment Equality (Part 1)

In this session, Marian Jennings, solicitor and employment law lecturer, provides an overview of the scope of the Employment Equality Acts 1998 – 2015, helping HR professionals understand the framework for promoting fairness in the workplace and avoiding discrimination in recruitment.

Topics include:

Scope of the Employment Equality Acts
9 Protected Grounds and latest developments
Definitions: direct and indirect discrimination; victimisation; harassment; vicarious liability
Avoiding discrimination in access to employment

Marian Jennings Specialist in Employment & Business Law

09:50 am

Comfort Break

10:00 am

Discrimination and Equality (Part 2)

Marian will explore how the Employment Equality Acts apply across the employee lifecycle. This session covers pregnancy and maternity rights, disability discrimination and the duty to make reasonable accommodations, harassment and sexual harassment guidelines, equal pay and gender pay gap reporting, and considerations around retirement and dismissal.

Marian Jennings Specialist in Employment & Business Law

10:35 am

Discrimination Scenarios and Q&A Session

Marian Jennings Specialist in Employment & Business Law

11:00 am

Refreshment Break

23:30 pm

Discipline and Dismissal

Employing fair procedures when managing disciplinary matters or dismissal is essential for demonstrating fairness and legal compliance. In this session, Colum Holland, senior associate in Matheson’s Employment, Pensions and Benefits Group, will outline what constitutes fair procedures and explore the right to claim unfair dismissal.

Key topics include:

Employer obligations and employee rights under the Unfair Dismissals Acts 1997–2015
Essential elements of fair procedures
Considerations around wrongful dismissal, including injunctions

Includes Q&A with Colum.

Colum Holland Senior Associate, Matheson's Employment, Pensions and Benefits Group

12:30 pm

Key Developments in Employment Law in the Next 12 Months

In this final session, Colum will highlight recent employment law developments and anticipated changes* over the next year, including:

Right to request remote and flexible working
Retirement ages/requests to work beyond mandatory retirement age
Gender Pay Gap reporting / Pay Transparency
Collective bargaining / EWCs

Attendees will leave with insights to guide HR strategy and compliance planning.

NOTE: This session will consist of what our speaker considers to be the most important developments in employment law and may differ from the above topics.

Colum Holland Senior Associate, Matheson's Employment, Pensions and Benefits Group

12:55 pm

Final Q&A and Close of Event

Testimonials

Feedback that speaks volumes

Here's what our previous attendees had to say:

"It was really simple to understand and to follow. Loads of information provided and notes were provided to understand what was discussed."

Caz Morgan HR Coordinator, Stantec

"Good knowledgeable speakers, a range of great topics."

Michaela Willis HR Manager, Sherwin Williams

"I really liked the knowledgeable speakers and the detailed notes provided in addition to the slides. Would definitely recommend."

Helen Kerins HR Officer, TUS

"Great speakers. Really informative and excellent case law examples. Thank you to all."

Michelle Holmes HSE

"An excellent overview of employment law with knowledgeable speakers."

Ulla Quayle HR Department, DECC

"Really enjoyed the sessions and think two half days was much better than a full day as my brain can only absorb so much in one go! Really looking forward to attending future sessions."

Deirdre DuffyCarty Recruitment Officer, GMIT

"It was a very informative event, lots of useful comparative case examples."

Radha Venkataraman HR Administrator, Walkinstown Association for People with Intellectual disabilities

"Great event. Great information."

Jacinta Greene HR Manager, Supermacs

Presenters

Explore the presenters on the day

Jennifer Bassett Senior Associate, Matheson's Employment, Pensions and Benefits Group