In Brief: Important Updates from January 2021

A number of useful articles and resources were added to the Legal Island Employment Law Hub throughout January 2021. Here is a quick recap of some of the recent developments within the employment law sphere:

National Remote Work Strategy and the Right to Disconnect

On Friday, 15 January the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment published the eagerly awaited National Remote Work Strategy – Making Remote Work.  The purpose of the Strategy is to give effect to the Irish Government’s vision that remote working is to become a permanent feature of the Irish employment landscape. 

In addition, the WRC consultation on the draft Code of Practice on an employee’s right to disconnect from work closed on the 22^nd January 2021. 

• Deirdre Crowley and Denise Moran of Matheson provide an overview of the key points of note for employers. 
• Listen again to our recent webinar with Jennifer Cashman as she discusses her concerns about the wider flexible working rights and the National Remote Working Strategy.

Code of Practice for Employers and Employees on The Prevention and Resolution Of Bullying At Work

Gerry McMahon, MD of Productive Personnel Ltd and W.R.C. Adjudicator discusses the recently published ‘Code Of Practice For Employers And Employees On The Prevention and Resolution Of Bullying At Work’ which is a unified code of practice replacing the WRC’s  2002 Code and that of the HSA of 2007.  In this ‘must read’ article, Gerry discusses the objectives of the new code; notable changes and sets out some next steps for Employers to ensure they are adhering to the new Code. 

Essential Workers and Access to Childcare: How Do I Handle It?

Alan Devaney, solicitor in RDJ's employment group discusses essential worker’s access to childcare and outlines what an employer can do to support this.

Investigations and Disciplinary Action – Q&A

Following a webinar earlier in January, Remote Investigations and Disciplinary Matters, Caroline McEnery answered a number of questions that arose with regard to investigations and disciplinary action. Caroline will also be providing some expert tips and guidance for promoting proactive performance management processes and managing under performance in her next webinar on the 4^th February. Register now >

How To: Manage Attendance and Absenteeism

Gerry McMahon, MD of Productive Personnel Ltd and W.R.C. Adjudicator, outlines best practice in managing attendance and absenteeism in this truly excellent article.  He also discusses the recent trend towards increased employee monitoring.  This article is a must read for all HR professionals.

A&L Goodbody's Case Law Review: Top Employment Cases of 2020 [Webinar]

In this webinar recording, Duncan Inverarity, Head of Employment, A&L Goodbody, revises what he considers to be the top employment cases of the last year (including any post-November 2020) and sets out learning points and takeaway actions to put into practice.

Everyone Needs A Mentor

Karl O’Connor, OCN Coaching Champions Ltd sets out the case for mentoring to help us realise and maintain our 2021 resolutions, in his article, Everyone Needs a Mentor.