IBEC - Employer Services

Work-life balance 2012

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:41:07 GMT

Work-life balance day is March 1 2012. Employers and organisations are encouraged to engage in activities in connection with work-life ...

Collective redundancy in Ireland – when consultation fails

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Historically, industrial relations in Ireland have been based on the concepts of voluntarism and legal abstention. However, it would not be true to say that Irish laws as they currently relate to industrial relations are entirely voluntarist. While there is no statutory obligation on employers to engage in collective bargaining, there are some circumstances where employers are legally obliged to apply the outcome of collectively bargained terms and conditions to their employees.

Industrial relations

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:33:56 GMT

In the ordinary course of day-to-day employment, conflict is, unfortunately, inevitable. Disputes will arise between employees and between employees and ...

Note on the committee stage amendments to the Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011.

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Since the publication of the Bill, IBEC has engaged in great detail with Minister Bruton’s officials and members of the Oireachtas about the content of the Bill.

Latest IBEC reaseach on leave

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Latest IBEC research on leave

Latest IBEC research on maternity benefit and parental leave

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Latest IBEC research on maternity benefit

Latest IBEC research on overtime premia and bonus payments

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Latest IBEC research on overtime premia and bonus

Latest IBEC research pension schemes and medical health insurance schemes

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Latest IBEC research pension schemes and medical health insurance schemes

IBEC employment law guidelines

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:53:36 GMT

IBEC have produced a comprehensive set of guidelines to guide organisations deal with the many aspects of employment legislation including ...

Latest IBEC research on sick pay and absence rates

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Access details of IBEC's latest research on absence rates and sick pay schemes

Announcement of Contract Catering Registered Employment Agreement

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A new Contract Cleaning Registered Employment Agreement (REA) became effective on Friday, 03 February 2012 having been registered by the Labour Court under Part 111 of the Industrial Relations Acts, 1946. The REA sets out the rates of remuneration and conditions of employment of workers employed by contract cleaning firms throughout Ireland.

Industrial Relations Amendment Bill 2011

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No 3) Bill 2011 was published by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on 22 December 2011.

Reform to JLC/ERO system - 28 July 2011

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Click [here] to view announcement by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, 28 July 2011, on [reforms to the Joint Labour Committee] and Registered Employment Agreement wage settling mechanisms

Joint Labour Committees and Registered Employment Agreements

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:23:42 GMT

Joint Labour Committies (JLC) Traditionally JLCs existed in sectors where wages and conditions of employment were below the general norm ...

Temporary agency work - press release

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

IBEC calls for amendments to Temporary Agency Work Bill Group highlight concerns at D�il Select Sub-committee

Communication to TDs re Temporary Agency Work legislation

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

In relation to the Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011, IBEC believes that there is a strong case that the proposed retrospective effect back to 5 December 2011 is unconstitutional and we are seeking an amendment of this and other provisions as the Bill proceeds through the Oireachtas.

Annual leave and public holidays guideline

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This guideline is an indispensable reference document on annual leave and public holidays set out by the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.

Bullying and harassment in the workplace - guideline

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This guideline deals with the issue of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment in the workplace.

Carer's leave guideline

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This guideline includes legislation governing the Carer's Leave Act 2001, abuse of leave, protection of employee rights and sample forms.

Contracts of employment guideline

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This guideline outlines the main provisions that an employer should consider when creating or amending an employee's contract of employment, taking into account the Terms of Employment (Information) Acts 1994 to 2001, Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977-2007 and the Payment of Wages Act 1991, and the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts 1973 to 2005.

Data protection guideline

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This guideline sets out the current position regarding data protection legislation in Ireland under the Data Protections Acts 1988 and 2003.

Disciplinary Procedures guideline

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This guideline outlines the practical procedures associated with effective handling of discipline in the workplace, including the requirements under the Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977 -2007.

Employing non-Irish nationals guideline

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This IBEC guideline outlines the main provisions that an employer should consider when recruiting non-Irish national employees as per the Employment Permits Acts 2003 and 2006.

Employment equality guideline

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This guideline sets out the wide ranging implications of the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2011 for employers.

Grievance and disputes procedures guideline

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This guideline outlines correct procedures employers should follow in dealing with potential grievances or disputes.

Information and consultation guideline

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This guideline outlines the responsibilities on employers under the Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Act 2006.

Lay-off and short-time working - guideline

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

When a situation arises where providing normal full time working is no longer possible, an employer is faced placing an employee on lay-off or short-time working rather than make employees redundant . This guideline aims to provide employers with a reference document on lay-off and short-time working. It is a general guide only and individual situations should be discussed directly with IBEC staff.

Maternity and adoption leave guideline

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This guideline includes advice on implementing the Maternity Protection Acts 1994 and 2004 and Adoptive Leave Acts 1995 and 2005.

Minimum notice guideline

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This guideline outlines the legislation covering minimum periods of notice to be given by employers and employees when terminating contracts of employment. It also explains the requirements governing notice in other circumstances such as lay-off/short-time, strikes, redundancy and protective leave.

National Minimum Wage Act 2000 guideline

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This guideline is outlines the sections under the National Minimum Wage Act 2000.

Parental and force majeure leave guideline

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Understanding your obligations and an employees entitlement to parental leave and force majeure leave under the Parental Leave Acts 1998 to 2006.

Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Act 2003 - guideline

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This guideline outlines provisions of the Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Act 2003.

Protection of Employees (Part-time Work) Act 2001 guideline

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This guideline outlines provisions of the Protection of Employees (Part-time Work) Act 2001, which facilitates the development of part-time work and outlaws discrimination against part-time workers.

Transfer of undertakings guideline

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This guideline outlines the responsibilities on employers during a transfer of undertaking under the European Council Directive 2001/23/EC. This piece of legislation was introduced into Ireland as S.I. 131 of 2003.

Note on IR (Amendment) Bill 2011

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No 3) Bill 2011 was published by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on 22 December 2011.

Employment law

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:46:28 GMT

Employment law has become increasingly complex over the past number of years and there are over 30 pieces of major ...

Diversity Calendar 2012

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A calendar to highlight many of the religious festivals, national or independence days, world days of diversity activity and public holidays in Ireland for 2012.

IBEC Briefing note on Protection of Employees Temporary Agency Bill 2011

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Briefing note on the Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011, which was published on Friday last.

Analysis of Labour Court Report 2010

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Key findings from analysis of the Labour Court Annual Report 2010.

HR best practice

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:10:01 GMT

IBEC supports members to apply Human Resources best practice, build a high-performance culture, engage with employees, maximise the benefits of ...

Update on the proposal in respect of the Temporary Agency Workers Directive 13th December, 2011

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Members will be aware of the proposal by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation that the Irish legislation transposing the Temporary Agency Work Directive (“the Directive”) be made retrospective to 5 December 2011, the date by which the Directive was due to be transposed.

Budget 2012 and the Change in Redundancy Rebate

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

IBEC has indicated to the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Social Protection its strong opposition to the proposal to reduce the redundancy rebate from 60% of each lump sum paid to employers to 15 %.

Assessing liabilities under the Temporary agency work legislation

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Liabilities under the new temporary agency work legislation.

Redundancy

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:45:48 GMT

The Redundancy Payments Acts 1967 to 2007 cover individual rights in a redundancy, whereas the Protection of Employment Acts 1977 ...

IBEC criticises proposal to give retrospective effect to temporary agency law - 1 December 2011

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

IBEC criticises proposal to give retrospective effect to temporary agency law 1 Dec 2011

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

IBEC, the group that represents Irish business, today criticised the intention of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton to give retrospective effect to the Temporary Agency Workers Directive from next Monday (5 December), even though the necessary legislation will be not be enacted until 2012 at the earliest. IBEC said alternative and better options are open to the Minister, notwithstanding the transposition deadline of Monday 5 December 2011.

Temporary Agency Work legislation - Latest news 1 December 2011

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Temporary agency workers update - 1 December 2011

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Latest news on Temporary Agency Work - 1 December 2011

Temporary agency work update - 28 October 2011

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Temporary agency work update - 28 October 2011

Implications and analysis of potential changes by Government to make employers pay the cost of ‘illness/disability’ schemes

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

This paper analyses the current arrangements for insurance related non-means tested illness and disability payments provided to those who are unable to work.

Temporary Agency Workers Directive - update

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

IBEC Update to Members regarding the Temporary Agency Workers Directive 28 October 2011

Inclement weather - guidance note and sample policy

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Sample inclement weather and disruption of transport services policy

Working time guideline

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:49:32 GMT

This Guideline is designed to provide employers and managers with a reference document dealing with the Organisation of Working Time ...

Working time guideline - collective agreements

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Labour Court may, subject to the following provisions, approve of a collective agreement.

Working time guideline - disputes

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

An employee or trade union may present a complaint that the employer concerned contravened a relevant provision of the legislation to a Rights Commissioner.

Working time guideline - double employment

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

An employer will be guilty of an offence under this legislation if he or she employs an employee to work on any day/week on which such employee has done work for another employer, where the aggregate of the periods exceeds the terms of the legislation.

Working time guideline - inspections and penalties

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Act empowers the Minister to appoint inspectors who may carry inspections.

Working time guideline - records

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Act specifies that an employer must keep appropriate records to show that he or she is in compliance with the legislation.

Contracts

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:03:08 GMT

The contract of employment which an employer offers and an employee accepts governs many aspects of the employment relationship. The ...

Working time guideline - compensatory rest

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

All exemptions are subject to equivalent compensatory rest being made available to the employee.

Working time guideline - exemptions

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

An exemption does not function in the same way as an exclusion which effectively removes individuals from coverage of the legislation.

Working time guideline - night work

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Night work.

Working time guideline - notification of working time

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Notification of working time.

Working time guideline - rest periods

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Daily and weekly rest breaks.

Working time guideline - Sunday working

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Sunday working.

Working time guideline - working time and reference periods

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Working time and reference periods.

Working time guideline - zero hours contracts

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Zero hours contracts.

Working time

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:22:24 GMT

The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 governs all aspects of working time such as rest periods, weekly rest breaks, ...

Pay freezes likely to continue in 2012

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

This report examines emerging trends in relation to pay and identifies that in the main pay freezes are expected to continue in 2012. The data was drawn from IBEC’s sentiment survey of CEOs in August 2011.

Employee engagement

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:37:15 GMT

Organisations are under increasing pressure to improve performance and maximise the contribution of every employee. Employee engagement is an attractive ...

IBEC Submission on Employment Rights and Industrial Relations Structures and Procedures

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

IBEC welcomes the opportunity to participate, on behalf of its members, in this consultation process. The stated objective to “have a simpler structure and simplified and streamlined procedures....a single body dealing with grievances and disputes in the first instance and another body dealing with appeals” while building on recognised strengths of the functions currently carried out by the five employment bodies within the scope of this exercise is also welcome.

Renewing a fixed-term contract after four years

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The purpose of the Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Act 2003 is to ensure that fixed-term employees are not treated less favourably than comparable permanent employees and to prevent abuse arising from the use of successive fixed-term contracts.

Consultation paper

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:03:05 GMT

Consultation on the Reform of the State’s Employment Rights and Industrial Relations Structures and Procedures IBEC welcomes the publication by ...

Employee Absenteeism- a Guide to Managing Absence 2011

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The IBEC Employee Absenteeism - a Guide to Managing Absence 2011 contains a comprehensive examination of absence in over 600 companies. The guide covers all aspects of absence management including, recording of attendance, use of targets and 'triggers' identification of problem absence as well as providing details of the cost of absence to employers.

Bullying and harassment policy

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A sample policy on the prevention and dealing with bullying and/or harassment at work.

Latest IBEC press releases on EROs/JLCs

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 15:05:45 GMT

Plan to reintroduce JLC system misguided and unnecessary IBEC, the group that represents Irish business, today said that plans by ...

Case Law emerging on responsibilities of managers and senior executives for health and safety

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Over the last 18 months, there have been significant prosecutions that appear to show the enforcing authority and the DPP are more aware of the specific focus of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 (2005 Act) on health and safety being managed at and from a corporate level.

Disciplinary procedures report

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

This report illustrates a specimen disciplinary procedure, including example company procedures and case law from the Employment Appeals Tribunal and the Labour Court.

Will this decision be appealed?

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

No. Both the Taoiseach and Minister Bruton have indicated that, having taken the advice of the Attorney General, the Government will not be appealing the decision.

What about Registered Employment Agreements (REAs)?

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

It is important to note that the High Court’s decision does not directly affect REAs which govern pay and conditions in some sectors, including the construction industry and electrical contracting. REAs are the subject of separate court proceedings.

What are JLCs, EROs and REAs

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Joint Labour Committees (JLCs) are statutory bodies established by the Labour Court under the Industrial Relations Act 1946.

What happened in the High Court?

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The High Court struck down the sections of the Industrial Relations Acts which permitted Joint Labour Committees (JLCs) to prepare Employment Regulation Orders (EROs) which were then incorporated into law by the Labour Court.

What happens now? Will employees have their wages cut?

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The immediate question for employers who operate in JLC/ERO-regulated sectors is what to do in relation to pay rates.

What is IBEC’s view of the JLC/ERO system?

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

IBEC believes that the JLC/ERO mechanism is an anachronism and should be abolished.

What rules govern employees who are outside of the JLC/ERO system?

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Employees outside of the JLC/ERO system are entitled to receive their entitlements under the National Minimum Wage Act 2000.

Will new legislation be introduced to replace the system?

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

IBEC has noted with concern the comments by Minister Bruton that his “priority is to proceed with a radical overhaul of the JLC system to make it more responsive to the needs of a modern, 21st century economy.

Important steps to follow when claiming a redundancy rebate

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Due to the large volume of claims for redundancy rebate payments, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation have outlined a number of steps in to follow when submitting redundancy rebate claims.

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation guidelines and application process for employment permits

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Under the Employment Permits Acts 2003 and 2006, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (DJEI) introduced revised employment permit arrangements. These official guides and application forms for green card permits, work permits, intra-company transfers and spousal/dependant permits are produced by the Department.

Employment permits and redundancy

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A non-EEA national who is made redundant and has been working on a work permit or working visa/work authorisation, must notify the employment permits section of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation as soon as possible after they have been notified of their redundancy.

JLCs system should be left in the past

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion article for Sunday Business Post Sunday 10 July 2011 By IBEC Director of Industrial Relations and Human Resource Services Brendan McGinty

Transitional arrangements for the student immigration scheme

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

In September 2010, the Department of Justice and Equality announced the proposed introduction of a new student visa immigration regime. This new regime came into effect from 1 January 2011 and includes the introduction of maximum periods of residence in the State on foot of student permission, as well the introduction of a differentiated approach between Degree Programme courses and those at the Language or Non-Degree Programme level.

Changes to work permits and green card permits

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Changes to new work permits system apply to first time applications after 1 June 2009. Changes to the green card permit listings apply immediately.

Work permits and short-time working

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The work permits section of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation will consider applications for the renewal of work permits received in respect of employees placed on short-time working during the currency of their work permit.

Employment permits

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 10:09:48 GMT

The principle of free movement of labour exists between member states of the EU and European Economic Area (EEA) and ...

Managing pregnancy at work – the research

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Equality Authority and HSE have published research carried out by the ESRI on Pregnancy at Work: A National Survey. This examines the experience of women at work in Ireland during pregnancy and after childbirth.

The Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011, which is to be signed by the President on 30 June 2011, gives legislative effect to a number of aspects of the government’s Jobs Initiative, Programme for Government and the EU/IMF Memorandum of Agreement.

Civil partnership and tax - update

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD., published Finance (No.3) Bill 2011 which will give effect to the taxation aspects of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights of Cohabitants Act 2010 and allow couples in civil partnerships to receive the same tax treatment as married couples.

The issue of 'travel time' at the Labour Court

Mon, 30 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Travel to work or travel for work determination from the Labour Court

Minister publishes ERO/REA reform proposals

Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Mr Richard Bruton TD, has published outline proposals for reform of the JLC/JIC system.

Compensation for loss of overtime 2011

Fri, 20 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

In this report, a sample of Labour Court recommendations and appeal decisions from 2001 to 2010 concerning claims for compensation for loss of overtime earnings are listed and analysed.