Advertise on podcast: Irish HR and Employment Law Developments

Ireland's approach to contractual retirement ages changed significantly on 29 June 2026 with the commencement of the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025 and the updated Code of Practice on Longer Working. These changes introduce a new consent-based framework that will affect how employers manage retirement, employee requests to work beyond retirement age, and the drafting of contracts and workplace policies. Laura McKee of Legal Island is joined by Anne O'Connell of Anne O'Connell Solicitors, who explains what the new framework means in practice and the steps employers should be taking now. This episode explores: How the new legislation interacts with existing equality law Practical changes employers should make to contracts, policies and retirement procedures Managing requests to continue working beyond retirement age while minimising legal risk Common pitfalls and practical tips for HR professionals and managers.

Disability remains the most cited reason for discrimination claims under the Employment Equality Act, according to the WRC’s most recent Annual Report. For employers and HR professionals, failing to manage accommodations or disability-related absences isn’t just tricky—it’s risky and expensive. Join Sinead Morgan, Legal Director at DAC Beachcroft, for a practical 45-minute session where she breaks down recent WRC and Labour Court decisions and shares the key lessons HR teams wish they’d learned sooner. Discover actionable guidance on reasonable accommodations to keep your workplace inclusive, compliant, and far less stressful.

Research by Matrix Recruitment shows 88% of workers say bullying and harassment remains a serious problem in Irish workplaces. Handling allegations of bullying and harassment is one of the most testing parts of the HR role, particularly when emotions are high and everyone is watching what you do next. Mishandling complaints can escalate issues, harm morale, and even trigger a tribunal. Dr Gerry McMahon – an acknowledged national expert in people management who has over 35 years’ experience as a workplace investigator (covering bullying, harassment, disciplinary, dismissal and grievance issues). Drawing on this extensive experience, Gerry explores real-world investigation scenarios, highlighting where organisations commonly go wrong and what good practice looks like in the eyes of the WRC. Gerry is also a highly experienced trainer, negotiator, facilitator, mediator, arbitrator and team builder, working across a wide range of employment sectors. Hosted by Julie Holmes from Legal Island, she ensures you get the practical guidance you need. And you will leave with a clearer sense of what the WRC expects, and reassurance you do not have to be perfect, but what you and your organisation need to do to demonstrate you have been fair, consistent and thoughtful.

Winter is coming and so are the coughs, colds and caring emergencies. As HR professionals know all too well, this is the season when requests for time off multiply: “My child’s sick again”, “Mum’s had a fall”, “I need time for a doctor’s appointment”. But which type of leave actually applies? Force majeure? Compassionate? Parental? Carer’s? It can feel like an alphabet soup of entitlements and one wrong move can leave an employer exposed. Join Aoife Gallagher-Watson, Director, Employment Law, EY Law Ireland, Caroline Kelly, Personal and Executive Coach, TalentPro, and Laura McKee, Knowledge Partner, Legal Island for a lively, plain-speaking session that cuts through the confusion. Together they’ll help you: 1. Decode the differences between force majeure, compassionate and carer’s leave 2. Clarify employee rights on parental, parent’s, maternity, paternity and antenatal leave 3. Handle those tricky “life happens” conversations with confidence and fairness Expect practical examples, expert insights, and a few light-bulb moments along the way. It’s 45 minutes that could save you hours of head-scratching this winter.

Ireland’s new auto-enrolment scheme is going live and for HR teams, that means real changes to contracts, payroll, and how you communicate with staff. Yet, as RTÉ recently reported, 1 in 4 organisations still haven’t begun preparing. So, ask yourself: is your organisation ready? Or just hoping it all falls into place? Whether you're well underway or just getting started, this short, focused webinar will help you: •    Understand your obligations and what’s changing •    Spot potential payroll and contract pitfalls •    Sense-check your approach with expert insight •    Hear how other employers are planning their response Led by Caroline Reidy, MD of the HR Suite and one of Ireland’s most respected HR experts, the session will offer clear, practical guidance. Hosting the conversation is Julie Holmes from Legal Island, who’ll ask the questions that matter, including how to talk about pensions without everyone leaving the room. You’ll leave with fresh insight, real-world examples, and the confidence to take the next step, whether you’re already well-positioned or still catching up.

President Donald Trump issued executive orders rolling back DEI efforts across the US, which contributed to job cuts in the public sector and prompted some companies to reconsider their diversity policies. Major corporations - including Meta, McDonald's, and Bank of America - have adjusted their DEI strategies, scaling back public diversity targets and shifting towards ‘merit-based’ hiring practices. If research found diverse teams are 70% more likely to capture new markets, why is opposition...

Bullying and harassment remain pressing issues in Ireland, with nearly 1 in 3 workers experiencing them firsthand according to Matrix Recruitment’s recent study: Workplace Equality Report. Despite complaints being raised to HR or senior leaders, only 20% felt they were resolved promptly and discreetly. This begs the question, are the current Codes of Practice enough? Laura McKee, Knowledge Partner, Legal Island is joined by Bernadette Daly, Partner, CC Solicitors and Dr Gerry McMahon, (MD at ...

Ever wondered why your top talent is heading for the exit? The answer might be closer than you think. Our webinar uncovers the pitfalls of 'accidental managers'—those well-meaning but undertrained leaders who are costing your organisation its best people. Fortune magazine reported 66% of managers are defined as ‘accidental managers’ and in this webinar, Caroline Reidy of the HR Suite and Julie Holmes, Knowledge Partner at Legal Island, uncover why undertrained managers are driving nearly a third of your workforce out the door. They look at: Impact of accidental managers on their teams and company cultureKey challenges accidental managers face in leadership rolesHR’s role in ensuring long-term leadership success

As HR professionals, ensuring an inclusive and supportive workplace is a fundamental responsibility. A recent Irish survey conducted by Red C on behalf of Bank of Ireland revealed that almost 1 in 10 adults in Ireland identify as neurodivergent, yet only half of neurodivergent employees have disclosed their condition to their employer. Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in how the human brain works and processes information, leading to diverse behavioural traits and interactions in the workplace. Despite this, many organisations overlook the importance of raising awareness about neurodiversity and fostering neuroinclusion. In this webinar, Declan MacQuillan, Senior Associate from Arthur Cox joins Victoria Smith from Legal Island to discuss the significance of neurodiversity in the workplace. Declan outlines the practicalities and provides his legal insights to help you: Understand your legal responsibilities under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 and how to avoid discrimination claims.Review case law examples of how some organisations mishandled their neurodivergent staff, and what we can learn from these mistakes.Outline best practices in supporting and empowering your neurodivergent employees.Victoria also discusses with Emma what HR can and should be doing to promote neuroinclusion.

As HR professionals, safeguarding the well-being of our employees is a paramount responsibility. Unfortunately, domestic abuse is an issue that affects many; in 2023, more than 54,000 domestic abuse complaints were made to An Garda Síochána, marking an 8% rise compared to the previous year. Domestic abuse and its repercussions often extend into the workplace, impacting productivity, morale, and overall health. It is essential HR makes a positive impact by fostering a supportive workplace culture to those affected. In this webinar, Emma Quinn from Eversheds Sutherland firm joins Victoria Smith from Legal Island to discuss this topic. Emma sets out the practicalities and provides her legal insights to help you: • Gain practical strategies to support employees dealing with domestic abuse, ensuring their safety and well-being at work. • Know your legal responsibilities under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act by providing Statutory Domestic Violence Leave for staff.

Duncan Inverarity of A&L Goodbody LLP and Legal Island’s Victoria Smith give you a sneak preview of the issues you need to be aware of to future-proof your organisation. Duncan provides his expert insights on what legal issues employers will need to deal with in 2024/25. We give you the inside scoop on the Annual Review and reveal some of the topics and experts who’ll be joining us! But most importantly you’ll gain insights into what’s on the employment law horizon for Irish businesses.

Industry experts Ryan Calvert and Rebekah Mulligan from MCS, alongside Julie Holmes from Legal Island, explore the latest recruitment trends – and the path to building diverse, inclusive teams. While diversity is pivotal, it's just the beginning of the journey towards true inclusivity. Learn how to kickstart this journey by establishing a robust talent pipeline, then go further by fostering a positive workplace culture that embraces everyone. We'll equip you with strategies tailored for organisations of all sizes, empowering you to create inclusive dream teams that thrive. Get ready to be inspired by real-world examples that will fuel your drive to lead change and transform your workplace into a vibrant, inclusive environment.

1 in 5 workers in Ireland had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace according to a 2019 survey conducted by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). Many conveyed that they did not report these incidents due to fears of retaliation or job loss.  Similarly, the Workplace Relations Commission acknowledges there is an underreporting of incidents, with many employees citing that they distrust the reporting processes and fear of worsening their work situation as the main reasons for not coming forward. All this underscores a critical need that HR and business leaders need to step up and address this insidious problem to ensure there are effective workplace policies and support systems in place. Victoria Smith, Knowledge Partner and employment law expert, Ciara O'Kennedy, Partner at LK Shields Solicitors LLP, discuss: Detailed explanations of what constitutes sexual harassment under Irish law and how hostile work environments can allow inappropriate behaviour to happen.Look back at key legal precedents and case law in Ireland to learn from and protect both your staff and business.Outline the legal obligations of employers under Irish law.Discuss how employers can implement robust policies and training for all staff on sexual harassmentThis essential session, tailored for HR professionals, managers, and business leaders, delves into the legal, practical, and human aspects of addressing sexual harassment within the workplace.  We discuss recent legal developments and provide insights and tips on effective policies, best practice and how best to create awareness in the workplace regarding sexual harassment.

In this insightful free webinar, delivered by the new CEO of included, Michelle Sequira, we’ll be examining the pressing DEI challenges of 2024 and sharing the latest advice and guidance on actionable strategies to overcome them. "Beyond Barriers: Top DEI Challenges in 2024 and How to Solve Them," is designed for business leaders, HR professionals, and DEI advocates who are committed to creating more inclusive environments. Michelle will be tackling these core issues : Em...

Caroline Reidy, Managing Director of the HR Suite, and Julie Holmes from Legal Island, delve into the latest HR trends and developments specifically tailored for the Irish landscape. Are you ready to enhance your skills and tackle workplace investigations with confidence? In this webinar you'll gain insights into managing investigations in line with best practice. Discover how to streamline your approach and ensure fairness and compliance every step of the way. Learn first-hand from seasoned ...