IBEC - Employer Services

Harvard guru Rosabeth Moss Kanter to headline IBEC HR Leadership Summit in October

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

IBEC is delighted to announce that Harvard Professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter will be the keynote speaker at IBEC's 2013 HR Leadership Summit in October.

IBEC HR Leadership Summit 2013 'culture for innovation - shaping the future'

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

'Culture for innovation' is the theme of IBEC's HR Leadership Summit 2013. Join us in the Convention Centre on 13 October to learn how organisations demonstrate strong leadership and build an innovative culture to focus on performance and growth.

Recent EAT determination establishes that the accrual of annual leave on sick leave is not enforceable by employees in private sector

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Employers will welcome a recent Employment Appeals Tribunal determination which established that the accrual of annual leave while on sickness absence is not enforceable by employees in the private sector.

Revenue notice to employers regarding local property tax/ taxation of maternity benefit

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

One of the options under the local property tax legislation allows the property owner elect to have the tax deducted from 1 July from their wages or occupational pension. Also with effect from 1 July 2013, maternity/adoptive/health & safety benefit will be taxable but PAYE employees will, where possible, have their annual tax credits and cut-off point reduced by the amount of these payments.

Fitness to work – the doctors’ dilemma, an employer’s decision

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

It is when an employee has been off work due to either illness or an injury that employer must turn to the services of a medical practitioner to assist them with determining the fitness of an employee to return to work. When this happens an employer will require quite specific information regarding the employee’s capacity to return to work and to decide if the person is fit to carry out their normal work tasks. It is therefore recommended that the employer ask specific questions of the doctor to limit any confusion or vague comments in a doctor’s report.

Haddington Road Agreement : overview and summary

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Haddington Road Agreement (HRA) is the outcome of negotiations between public service management and unions, which took place in May 2013 under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC). See IBEC's summary of the HRA, the fate of which is expected to be known in the coming days.

Maternity issues continue to be a fertile source of claims

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The various issues arising from maternity, whether they relate to early pregnancy, health and safety during pregnancy, maternity leave or even medical treatment to deal with issues of infertility, all constitute an ever evolving area of employment law.

Maternity issues continue to be a fertile source of claims

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Review group established to develop new apprenticeship system

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Government has announced a wide-ranging Review of apprenticeships and other work-based education/training schemes in Ireland. .

Employing non-EEA nationals guideline

Tue, 28 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

This IBEC guideline outlines the main provisions that an employer should consider when recruiting non-EEA employees as per the Employment Permits Acts 2003 to 2012.

Important of fair procedures in referring an employee for fitness to work medical assessment

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Employers should ensure that an employee’s contract of employment provides the employer with the right to refer an employee to a medical practitioner nominated by the employer. It is important that, in referring an employee for a fitness to work medical assessment, that the basis on which the employee is being referred is made clear to the employee.

Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act 2012: IBEC Briefing Note

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act 2012 was enacted on 16 May 2012. A revised version of IBEC's detailed information note on the Act is available here.

Summary of IBEC Recommendations for Modernising the Industrial Relations Framework

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Summary of IBEC Recommendations for Modernising the Industrial Relations Framework taken from speech by Brendan McGinty, IBEC Director of IR/HR at the annual IBEC Employment Law Conference, Dublin, 16 May 2013.

The Protection of Employee (Temporary Agency Work) Act 2012: IBEC Information Note

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

IBEC has published a revised detailed information note in relation to the Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act 2012. This note includes answers to the questions which have been most commonly asked since enactment of the Act on 16 May 2012.

Performance

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:08:09 GMT

In 2013 employers in Ireland have their focus on maximizing the contribution of the current workforce through performance management and ...

HR Update - Spring 2013

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Spring 2013 HR update survey collected responses from 412 senior HR contacts in IBEC member companies on trends in pay and employment, people management priorities, the composition of the HR function, as well as details around HR priorities for 2013 and an update on retirement policies within companies.

49% anticipate no change to retirement age or practice in 2014

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

49% anticipate no change to retirement age or practice in 2014

Social Media Policy

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

This policy on social media must be read in conjunction with other employee policies. Particular attention is drawn to the dignity at work, equality, bullying and harassment, internet, e-mail usage, data protection, and business confidentiality policies, all of which are applicable to social media usage.

Supreme Court has struck down all REAs.

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Supreme Court has struck down all REAs.

Hiring relatives of current employees

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Even when it is objectively justifiable, it can be complicated for an organisation to adopt a policy that seeks to prohibit the hiring of current employees' relatives.

Sample policy on hiring relatives of existing employees

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Attached is a sample policy on hiring relatives of existing employees. It may be of interest to members that are planning to introduce a policy in this area or to those reviewing an existing policy.

High Court grants injunction allowing employee to work for rival company

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The recent granting of an interlocutory injunction by Laffoy J. in the High Court case of Octavio Hernandez v Vodafone Ireland Ltd, [2013] IEHC 70, raises questions over the use of non-compete clauses in contracts of employment

People Management Priorities for 2013

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Peformance management emerges as number one people management priority for 2013.

Resourcing of the HR Function

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Latest findings from IBEC's Spring HR Update on the resourcing of the HR Function in member firms.

Sample contract of employment for fixed term employees and specified purpose

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

This sample contract of employment should be used to ensure compliance as outlined in the Protection of Employees (Fixed Term Work) Act 2003. The contract should always be tailored to include the employers specific needs.

Redundancy guideline

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

This guideline is a short reference on the main provisions of the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967 to 2011.

IBEC employment law guidelines

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:54:42 GMT

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

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

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 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.

Change in State pensions age - what does it mean for your company retirement age ?

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The question of whether employers may enforce retirement ages has been thrown into some confusion by a recent series of decisions of the European Court of Justice and the Equality Tribunal.

IBEC Submission to Labour Court JLC review

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

IBEC makes comprehensive submission to JLC review; seeks abolition of agriculture, catering, hotels and retail grocery JLCs.

Parental and force majeure leave guideline

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 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.

Parental leave increases to 18 weeks from 8 March 2013

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr Alan Shatter, T. D., signed regulations increasing parental leave from 14 to 18 weeks on 8 March 2013.

Parental leave policy

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

This sample policy outlines some areas for considerations, in addition to legislative entitlements and conditions, which an employer will need to decide upon such as whether they will allow an employee to break up the leave into shorter periods of time.

INIS review that left some third country workers in limbo, now complete

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

In recent months the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) suspended the issuing of permission to remain decision letters, first-time letters and renewal letters. In communications with IBEC, INIS have acknowledged this and stated that on 19 February 2013, they began to issue these letters again.

ECJ extends fixed-term protections to permanent employees

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

ECJ extends fixed term protections to permanent employees.

Management consulting

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:36:27 GMT

IBEC management consulting supports organisations to make people a source of competitive advantage through the application of best practice and ...

New 'JobsPlus' will offer businesses a €1 cash refund for every €4 spent hiring someone off the Live Register

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Government's Action Plan for Jobs 2013 contains seven 'Disruptive Reform' measures designed to stimulate Irish business and jobs. One of the headline measures in the Government's Plan is JobsPlus which will offer businesses a €1 cash refund for every €4 spent hiring someone off the Live Register.

HR news

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:46:45 GMT

IBEC's [Employee Relations Information Team] provide a specialist advisory and information service to members on employment law, HR and ...

Recruitment and selection guideline

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The objective of any recruitment and selection policy is to obtain the right person for the job. This best practice guideline outlines how employers can meet the resource requirements of the organisation as well as their legal obligations.

Conditions of employment

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 18:03:34 GMT

Employers should be aware of various basic but necessary conditions of employment that their employee's are entitled to, such as ...

Flexible work options guideline

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

This guideline outlines a number of the flexible working options available in some organisations.

E-cigarettes in the Workplace

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Common questions from employers include whether an employer has the right to prohibit the use of e-cigarettes in the workplace and whether an employee can be disciplined for ‘vaping’ in the workplace.

New legislation expected to increase parental leave from 14 to 18 weeks

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Council Directive 2010/18/EU on parental leave is due to be transposed into national legislation on 8 March 2013. It is intended that the Parental Leave Directive will be transposed by means of an amendment to the Parental Leave Acts 1998 and 2006.

Pregnancy related risk assessments FAQs

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, a risk assessment of an expectant mother must be conducted to ensure any risk to the health and safety of the employee and their child is assessed and controlled.

Background checks and compliance with Data Protection legislation

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Increasingly employers are looking to implement background and credit checks for potential employees. Ireland, however, does not have regulations in place that allow most employers to carry out such checks.

Brought to book: dismissals arising from employee social media usage

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

With social media use (and misuse) continually hitting the headlines, this article considers the topic from an employer’s perspective. The article examines some recent Irish and UK employment dismissal cases related to social media postings by employees.

IBEC Submission on proposals for a new Data Protection Regulation

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

IBEC Submission on proposals for a new Data Protection Regulation

Saint Patrick’s Day Public Holiday 2013

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Entitlement to the Saint Patrick’s Day public holiday benefit under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997

During employment

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:42:27 GMT

This section covers all areas of managing employees during their employment. The complexity of the requirements of human resource management ...

Employment law

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:42:00 GMT

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

Latest HR news

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:39:26 GMT

Keep informed and up to date with the most recent HR and employment law news. ...

Labour Court commences a review of all JLCs

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Members in affected sectors will be contacted in the coming days for input into IBEC's submission

Redundancy - an employer's guide

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

This report provides guidance to companies when they are faced with a redundancy situation. Issues such as the relevant legislation governing redundancies in Ireland, the selection process of employees, common features of redundancy packages and preparing for redundancy negotiations are also discussed.

Temporary agency work guideline

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act 2012 was signed into law on 16 May 2012.

IBEC Submission on proposals for a new Data Protection Regulations

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

IBEC Submission to Consultation on European Commission’s Proposal for a new Data Protection Regulation

ECHR ruling shows need to balance corporate image and employee’s desire to manifest religious beliefs.

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

ECHR ruling on discrimination cases involving job duties conflicting with religious beliefs and display of religious symbols at work

Employment equality guideline

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

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

Payment of wages guideline

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

This Guideline is designed to provide employers and managers with a reference document dealing with the Payment of Wages Act 1991.

ISA/ICT Ireland HR forum

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 12:49:47 GMT

The Irish Software Association/ICT Ireland HR forum provides companies in the broader technology sector with a forum to discuss industrial ...

Number of industrial disputes in 2012 lowest on record

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Number of disputes at record low but days lost up on 2011 figure

Leadership

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:31:29 GMT

Leadership represents: “The ability of an individual to influence, motivate and enable others to contribute toward the effectiveness and success ...

Inclement weather - guidance note and sample policy

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Sample inclement weather and disruption of transport services policy

Data protection report

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

This report examines the issue of data protection from an employment perspective. An increasing level of public and employee awareness of the right of access to personal data and an emerging focus on the security of data highlights the need for organisations to be cognisant of their legal obligations in this area.

Is the RP50 form now redundant?

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

With the abolition of the employers redundancy rebate in respect of redundancy related dates of dismissal falling on or after 1 January 2013, many HR practitioners have been asking if this dispenses with the requirement for employers to complete the RP50 form.

Is the RP50 form now redundant?

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

What is the requirement for employers to complete the RP50 form?

Employment law related developments

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

This legislative round-up for 2013 provides a synopsis of expected developments in Irish and European employment law. Topics covered include the elimination of the employer redundancy rebate, other specific employment measures outlined in Budget 2013, reform of the third party institutions, European directive on working time, the consolidation of the protective leave legislation, the proposed spent convictions and whistle-blower legislation and more.

Employment law related developments 2013

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Employment law related developments 2013

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

What is ahead for 2013.

Government to commence review of Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2001

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Review of collective barganing.

Government to commence review of Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2001

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation has indicated its intention to review current protective measures relating to conditional benefits and collective bargaining representation. This review is in line with commitments provided in the Programme for Government to assess the compliance of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2001 with recent judgments of the European Court of Human Rights

Annual leave policy

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Annual leave is a statutory provision for all employees, as per the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.

Attendance policy

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The purpose of this policy is to regulate the procedure for attendance and to apply consistent standards.

Building resilience policy

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

This sample building resilience policy looks at the key elements of a building resilience policy and strengthening communication and connection networks.

Data Protection policy

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

This is a sample data protection policy. It will need to be tailored to each organisation’s specific requirements and should be used as guidance only.

Disciplinary procedure

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Sample disciplinary procedure

Equal opportunities and dignity at work policy

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

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

Grievance/disputes policy

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Sample grievance and disputes procedures policy.

Maternity leave policy

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

This is a sample maternity policy which details not only the legislative requirements but also outlines certain options which companies may wish to consider. It is a sample policy and will need to be tailored for each individual company.

Top 10 policies

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:59:52 GMT

IBEC have produced a number of generic sample policies. These policies will need to be tailored to suit the needs ...

Sample policies and procedures

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:20:40 GMT

IBEC have produced a number of generic sample policies. These policies will need to be tailored to suit the needs ...

Managing the health and safety of pregnant employees in the retail sector: guidelines to positively manage and support pregnant employees

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

IBEC produced best practice guidelines and a training module on managing the health and safety of pregnant employees, particularly in the retail sector. These guidelines detail how to carry out a risk assessment and support and manage pregnant workers, particularly in the retail sector.

Diversity Calendar 2013

Fri, 28 Dec 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 2013.

Dress codes - help or hindrance?

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

It can be justifiable for an employer to have a dress code/appearance policy for hygiene or health and safety reasons but the onus would be on an employer to demonstrate this if such a policy was challenged. Employers are advised to be in a position to objectively demonstrate the need for a specific rule regarding appearance.

IBEC Supporting Your People Management in 2012

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

IBEC’s Industrial Relations and Human Resources Services.

SW and property tax bills to enact the 2013 budget provisions commence their passage through the Dail this week.

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Budget 2013 - SW and property tax.

Information on abolition of redundancy employer rebate

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Redundancy rebate abolished.

The impact of economic crisis on Irish Social Partnership

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Brendan McGinty, IBEC Director of Industrial Relations and HR Services told delegates at a recent ILO seminar in Dublin that although there is no national wage agreement currently in place and a return to centralised wage bargaining “is not an early prospect”, social dialogue between the key stakeholders still play an important role in building the right environment for job creation and getting the economy back on track

Budget 2013 - implications for employers

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Budget 2013 broadens the tax base and focuses on cutting expenditure.......

Four out of ten employers to increase pay in 2013

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Latest survey results.

Cost of GNIB card doubles from 19 November 2012

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Increases in cost of GNIB cards.

IBEC continues to campaign against statutory sick pay

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Statutory sick pay

Changes to Labour Court procedures from 1 Jan 2013

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

New procedures for setting hearing dates.

Abolishion of three Joint Labour Committees

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Labour Court has made orders abolishing three Joint Labour Committees (JLCs). These are the Aerated Waters and Wholesale Bottling JLC, the Clothing [manufacturing] JLC and the Provender Milling JLC. There is no immediate practical effect to the abolition of these three JLCs, because no Employment Regulation Orders (EROs) exist at present; all were struck down by the High Court last year.

Labour Court has made orders abolishing three Joint Labour Committees

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Labour Court has made orders abolishing three Joint Labour Committees (JLCs).

Protocol on the Orderly Conduct of Industrial Relations and Local Bargaining in the Private Sector, 2012

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Private Sector Protocol.

Employment rights of seasonal workers

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

It is important for employers to be mindful of the fact that even when an individual is hired for only a few weeks or months, they still have certain rights and entitlements.

Kaplan says strategy comes from the top, but is executed from the bottom up

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Dr Robert Kaplan was the keynote speaker at IBEC’s HR Leadership Summit 2012 ...................

Pay and employment trends 2012

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Pay and benefit costs typically represent a significant proportion of business costs, with base pay generally being the most costly reward element. So getting the strategy and process for managing base pay right is a critical issue for every employer.

HR Update - Autumn Survey 2012

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

IBEC's second issue of HR Update surveyed 517 senior HR contacts in IBEC member companies on trends in pay and employment, performance management and engagement, and the business impact of statutory sick pay.

Bullying and harassment in the workplace - guideline

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

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