Are employers obliged to issue contracts, employee handbooks or company policies to non-nationals in languages understandable to them?

With some limited exceptions, Irish law does not specifically address the issue of whether or not employment documentation should be issued to employees in a language understandable to them. In this regard, for example, the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 obliges an employer to issue its safety statement and provide training and information on health and safety matters to employees in a form, manner and language which is reasonably likely to be understood by them.

Apart from health and safety matters, in view of the fact that the contract of employment, handbook and policies set out relevant terms and conditions of employment, it would be advisable for an employer to take steps