Irish HR and Employment Law Developments

Hosted by Legal Island

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Episodes

Latest episode

Apr 2026

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About the show

The Irish HR and Employment Law Developments interviews Ireland's leading employment lawyers and HR experts to provide practical advice to HR professionals and employers throughout Ireland. Developed from Legal Island's live webinar series with thousands of listeners. Sponsored by MCS Group

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60 recent

August 20, 202645 min

New Rules on Retirement Age – What Employers Need to Know

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.

April 27, 202646 min

Case Law Round‑Up: Lessons on Disability and Reasonable Accommodations

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.

March 11, 202646 min

Employer Insights from Real Bullying and Harassment Cases

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.

November 10, 202547 min

When Life Happens: Making Sense of Family Leave in the Irish Workplace

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.

September 18, 202544 min

Auto-Enrolment 2025: What HR Needs to Know and Do

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.

April 16, 202544 min

Trump’s DEI Rollbacks: A Wake-Up Call for Irish HR Leaders?

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 to DEI increasing? Could this signal a shift for businesses in Ireland as well? With global organisations reassessing their commitments, HR leaders in Ireland face key questions: • Does a strong DEI strategy drive business results, or is it just an added expense? • How might changing global trends affect Irish workplace policies and expectations? • Should businesses double down on inclusion or take a more measured approach? Julie Holmes from Legal Island and industry experts examine whether businesses should sustain, reshape, or scale back their DEI commitments in response to shifting global trends - and what this means for HR leaders in Ireland.

February 26, 20251 hr 0 min

ROI - Case Law Insights: Lessons Learned from Key Bullying and Harassment Cases in Ireland

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 Productive Personnel Ltd.) as they unpack key cases, share legal insights, and explore practical strategies to foster respectful workplaces. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: 1. Key lessons for employers from recent bullying & harassment cases. 2. Avoiding legal pitfalls and managing tricky complaints. 3. Proactive strategies to mitigate risks and build a positive workplace culture. Dealing with bullying and harassment at work can be tricky, messy, and downright confusing. That’s why we’re bringing together a legal expert and an HR pro to help you tackle these tough situations.

October 2, 202442 min

From Blunders to Brilliance: Transforming Accidental Managers into Effective Leaders

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 culture Key challenges accidental managers face in leadership roles HR’s role in ensuring long-term leadership success

September 26, 202452 min

Thinking Differently: Legal and Practical Approaches to Neuroinclusion

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.

September 4, 202448 min

HR’s Role in Addressing Domestic Abuse

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.