Self-representing employees and imminent WRC hearings

I am frequently contacted by employees who have submitted a Workplace Relations Commission claim and the hearing is imminent. They are looking for representation and/or advice. It’s too late from my perspective, and I cannot help them. Getting ready for a WRC hearing is a time consuming and demanding task. It involves the preparation of… Continue reading Self-representing employees and imminent WRC hearings

I made a surprising discovery on Ebay yesterday

I discovered yesterday, by accident, that there are guys on Ebay selling my book “Employment Law in Ireland” for €45. But the new price of the paperback on Amazon.co.uk is only £25. This converts to around €29. A few questions arise: When I thought about this further, I was kind of thrilled. For it indicates… Continue reading I made a surprising discovery on Ebay yesterday

“Nuisance” employment claims

I meet employers on a regular basis who are faced with what they believe are frivolous, unfounded, “nuisance” employment claims at the Workplace Relations Commission. Merely because an employer believes a claim has no merit does not mean that that’s the case. However, in my experience a small number of claims are not well founded… Continue reading “Nuisance” employment claims

Insolvent employers and redundancy payments

I have three cases, at the moment, of my employee clients being entitled to a redundancy payment, as found by the Workplace Relations Commission, but where the employer is insolvent or unable to pay. We will have to pursue these payments through the fund which is administered by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise, Trade and… Continue reading Insolvent employers and redundancy payments

“Bizarre…she probably couldn’t even lift it”

This comment from Christine, on TikTok, in response to my video about a woman who was excluded from the possibility of getting a job she applied for because she was a woman illustrates why you should be thankful for the law. And especially laws around discrimination. The whole point of this discrimination case, and the… Continue reading “Bizarre…she probably couldn’t even lift it”

“I’m not a waitress” finance manager loses discrimination case

A finance manager who was asked by the Chief Executive to get more wine at a company dinner, and responded with “I’m not a waitress”, has lost her claim for constructive dismissal and discrimination. The adjudicator at the Workplace Relations Commission held that the Chief Executive’s request was made because she was the one who… Continue reading “I’m not a waitress” finance manager loses discrimination case

An avoidable mistake with performance improvement plans

A mistake I see quite frequently with employees who have been placed on a performance improvement plan with their employer is their inability to see the big picture and where the plan is headed. This is often apparent coming towards the end of the process. Often the plan will be passed successfully, and the employee… Continue reading An avoidable mistake with performance improvement plans

Wild, untrue and unproven allegations can still cause reputational damage to your small business

I have written in the past about certain employees overestimating the significance of any publicity surrounding their employment law case at the WRC. Frankly, I have advised them that the issue they are claiming about may play a large part in their life and mind. But for most people it will not move the dial.… Continue reading Wild, untrue and unproven allegations can still cause reputational damage to your small business

Give your solicitor all the facts in advance of the hearing

There is an indescribable sinking feeling when you are in a WRC hearing and it turns out that your client withheld a vital piece of evidence from you prior to the hearing. Notwithstanding that your client has read and approved your proposed submission on his behalf to the WRC weeks in advance, your argument that… Continue reading Give your solicitor all the facts in advance of the hearing