7 simple steps for irish employers to avoid costly employment claims

http://EmploymentRightsIreland.com 046/95 49 614

7 Simple Steps For Employers to Avoid Costly Employment Law Claims from Employees

Minimum requirements in employment law in Ireland


1. Written statement of certain terms of employment This statement must be given to the

employee within two months of commencing employment.

The relevant act is the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994 which sets out the basic information that an employee is entitled to be given in writing about their contract of employment


2. Written statement of pay You must provide the employee with a

written statement of pay and deductions


3. The minimum wage There are exceptions to the minimum wage

in Ireland of €8.65 per hour but most adults will be entitled to it; in addition certain industries have their own higher minimum wage.


4. Maximum hours worked Employers must keep records of hours

worked by employees to ensure compliance with the maximum working week average of 48 hours which may be calculated over a 4, 6 or 12 month period depending on the industry.


5. Working time and breaks The breaks to which employees are entitled

are set out in the Organization of Working Time Act, 1997.

Currently break entitlements are 15 minutes per four and a half hours work and a 30 minute break for six hours worked.


6. Holiday entitlements Holiday entitlements are also covered in the

Organization of Working Time Act, 1997. In general full time workers are entitled to four paid weeks holidays per year with part timers being entitled to similar holidays on a pro rata basis depending on hours worked which equates to one third of a week per month worked.


7. Minimum notice of termination of employment The minimum notice periods are set out in

the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts 1973 to 2001 and depend on the length of service with the minimum regardless of service being 1 week.


Conclusion Employers can save themselves a lot of

money and time involved in defending or otherwise dealing with claims by their employees by some prudent management and housekeeping.

Doing business nowadays can be a fraught enough activity without inviting needless trouble on yourself for the want of a straightforward contract of employment and/or letter of offer and/or statement of your employees’ terms and conditions.


What To Do Now At a minimum you should carry out an audit

of your Contracts of employment Staff handbooks Disciplinary and grievance procedures All workplace policy documents.

Terry Gorry & Co. Solicitors

Main Street Enfield Co. Meath Call: 046/95 49 614 or 086/81 21 797 Email: [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

7 simple steps for irish employers to avoid costly employment claims

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