Employment

The High Court has refused the appeal of a firefighter from a Labour Court decision upholding the adjudicating officer’s decision that the firefighter was not working during his ‘on standby’ periods. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Mr Justice Anthony Barr found that the Lab

The High Court has refused to grant injunctive relief restraining the dismissal of a recruit prison officer arising from a discovery of plastic bags which tested positive for cocaine in his training accommodation. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Mr Justice Rory Mulcahy determined: “Com

The Labour Court wrongly dismissed a claim made against the Irish Prison Service by a black prison officer who was racially abused by prisoners, the High Court has ruled. Ms Justice Miriam O'Regan last week ruled that the Labour Court had reached "effectively a bald conclusion without an expression

New EU rules setting out the employment rights of gig economy workers have been agreed and will come into force in around two years' time.

Stakeholder views on the taxation of share-based remuneration in Ireland are being sought in a new consultation. The consultation, which will run until 22 January 2024, seeks views on how Ireland’s share-based remuneration environment is operating for all users, how its use can support economi

English law firm Leigh Day has launched a group legal claim against ride-hailing app FREENOW, owned by BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz Mobility, alleging unlawful treatment of its private hire drivers. The firm, which previously brought a successful claim against Uber, argues that FREENOW private hire d

A new statutory entitlement to domestic violence leave has come into effect. Under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, anyone experiencing or at risk of domestic violence will be entitled to take five days' leave in order to access supports. They will also be entitled to ful

RDJ partner Michelle Ryan examines the first WRC ruling on statutory sick pay under legislation which came into force this year. Employers and employment practitioners have eagerly awaited a first decision under the new Sick Leave Act 2022 which has been in force since January 2023. The decision in

Seamus McGranaghan, director at O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors, considers the risks for Northern Ireland employers ahead of Christmas party season. As employees begin to look forward to Christmas parties with colleagues, the banter that goes with the festive season is usually taken as part and parcel o

Specialist boutique employment law firm McInnes Dunne Murphy LLP has appointed Jane Babb as a consultant and Fiona Sharkey as a senior associate. Ms Sharkey joins from one of the biggest Irish law firms, where she trained and practised as an employment solicitor for eight years. She advises on the f

The Supreme Court has confirmed that that a five-point test applies in respect of identifying whether contracts are ‘contracts of service’ or ‘contracts for service’. Delivering judgment for the Supreme Court, Mr Justice Brian Murray cautioned that the judgment did not bind a

The UK Supreme Court this month rejected an appeal challenging a decision which found that police officers and staff in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) were historically underpaid holiday pay since 1998, up to a total value of £30 million. Delivering the judgment, Lord Kitchin an

Almost two-thirds of Irish workplaces have had to conduct an investigation in the last year, according to a survey by Mason Hayes & Curran. The business law firm surveyed 280 employers from both the public and private sectors during a recent employment law webinar which provided practical tips a

Belfast-based GDPR consultancy Briefed has backed calls for governments across the UK and Ireland to introduce statutory leave for employees who have experienced a baby loss. Briefed — a UK-wide company founded and led by three Northern Ireland barristers — is supporting the campaign led

Yesterday's UK Supreme Court ruling on underpayments to PSNI officers and staff will have significant implications for employers in Northern Ireland, lawyers at Lewis Silkin have said. Thousands of PSNI officers are set to receive up to £30 million in backdated holiday pay after judges ruled t