Round Up: Key Employment Law Developments in Ireland 2019

2019 was still a big year for employment developments. Here are the big stories we think are worth returning to that should matter to most employers in Ireland. Full details of these and thousands more are available on the Irish Employment Law Hub:

Government gave approval to revise the draft Scheme of the Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill 2019 on tips and gratuities.

The Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018 commenced on the 4^th March.

A public consultation was launched on the General Scheme of an Employment Permits.

Remote Work in Ireland - Future Jobs 2019 was published by the government.

The High Court ruled in C.D. v The Board of Management of a National School that "... there is an obligation under Irish law for decision makers to set out adequately the reasons for reaching a decision, when such decision will have a far reaching and profound effect on the life and earning capacity of the person concerned..."

The Government decided to increase the stamp duty paid by insurance firms on health insurance policies, which is the first increase in three years.

A survey by ICTU showed that shockingly high levels of sexual harassment at work have gone unreported – 4 out of 5 employees did not report harassment to managers.

Pay slips and pay analysis sheets were deemed not sufficient for statutory regulation compliance under organisation of working time Directive requirements and an Adjudication Officer awarded €1000 because an employer failed to keep adequate records of rest breaks for an employee.  The right to disconnect from work came under close scrutiny.

The WRC launched a dedicated postponement requests email address.

The Supreme Court brought welcome clarity to the legal position regarding the right of an employee to be accompanied by a legal representative at a disciplinary hearing.

The Government approved a large part of the design of a new Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System.

Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 commenced.

The Department for Public Expenditure and Reform brought together lots of guidance on whistleblowing laws in Ireland.

A company was held vicariously liable for an employee's death after he died having sex with a stranger on a business trip.

The Supreme Court provided clarity in reasonable accommodation cases - Nano Nagle School v Daly [2019]

The Gender Pay Gap Information Bill 2019 made progress.