Ireland: Discrimination, Disability & Sexual Harassment

Recent Workplace Relations Commission decisions reveal critical distinctions in how compensation caps apply under Ireland's Employment Equality Acts, particularly when employees resign before filing discrimination claims. The €13,000 statutory ceiling may not always hold, as one landmark case suggests EU law could require higher awards in certain circumstances.

Irish employers must navigate a complex landscape of mandatory workplace policies, from disciplinary procedures to whistleblowing protections. Understanding which policies are legally required, how to implement them effectively, and how to keep them current can mean the difference between compliance and costly disputes.

The EU Pay Transparency Directive is set to transform workplace practices in Ireland, introducing new obligations around pay disclosure, shifting the burden of proof in equal pay claims, and requiring employers to scrutinize job categorization and pay structures. With Ireland delaying transposition and no draft legislation yet available, organizations face a critical window to prepare for these far-reaching changes before the detailed requirements are finalized.

This roadmap includes a checklist employers should follow in preparation for full transposition on 2 December 2026. While work has begun on national implementing legislation...

With Valentine's Day on the horizon, love is in the air and Cupid's arrow can strike in the workplace! When love at work works, it's something to be celebrated.

It is over one year since the Maternity Protection, Employment Equality and Preservation of Certain Records Act 2024 ("the 2024 Act") came into effect on the 20 November 2024.

This month, the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025 was published. It proposes to impose additional requirements on employers where mandatory retirement below state pension age...

The General Scheme of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 has been published by the Government.

In 2025, employers who employ 50 employees or more will come into scope for gender pay gap reporting in Ireland for the first time. To date, only employers with 150 employees or more are required to report.