Employment Equality Update 2024
Come to Ireland’s only employment equality dedicated event to provide a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of employment equality law developments. We focus on the key areas of employment equality developments that will directly impact your organisation.
If you value employment equality law, or provide advice on equality issues, this is an essential CPD learning opportunity.
After attending this event you will:
- Gain knowledge of the latest developments in employment equality laws affecting Irish workplaces in 2023. Renowned employment equality experts will provide comprehensive explanations, ensuring you are up to date with the current legal landscape.
- Obtain specialist guidance from our experts who will take live questions throughout the event. Engage in discussions and hear answers to questions from other delegates with a serious interest in employment equality laws including Adjudication Officers, lawyers, other representatives, and senior HR practitioners.
- Advise confidently on key equality developments with access to detailed reference notes from the event prepared by our legal experts.
- Access session recordings for continued learning after the event.
More value from this event:
This event comes with a full, comprehensive set of up to the minute notes for future reference, including analysis of relevant case law published in the month prior to this event. Delegates will also be able to access recordings of all sessions after the event.
Who should attend this event?
This event is designed with experienced employment law practitioners, in-house lawyers and HR professionals in mind. NOTE: Speakers on this course are asked to assume that delegates have a reasonably sound knowledge of employment equality law. This event is not suitable for beginners in this field.
Why should you attend this event?
As an employment law practitioner, representative at hearings, or seasoned HR professional we know you understand the importance of staying up to date with the latest developments in this area if you are to defend or pursue cases successfully, and ensure your organisation is up to date with best practice. You need know what has changed to give the latest, practical and correct advice.
Our event brings together top equality law experts who will concentrate on important case law and useful arguments, the ratio and how these decisions impact on existing law. They will also provide detailed notes and advice to all delegates.
Programme
Day 1
22nd October 2024
9.00am |
Get to Know Us: Familiarise yourself with the functions of our online event to ensure you maximise return on your investment. Victoria Smith, Knowledge Partner, Legal Island. |
9.05am |
Introduction and Welcome: Setting the scene and what to expect from the day. Maeve Regan, Consultant Solicitor in Human Rights and Employment Law |
9.15am |
Opening Address: Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger, High Court Judge |
9.30am |
Rethinking Retirement: Legal Perspectives on Mandatory Retirement and Age DiscriminationIn a landmark ruling in 2024, the Supreme Court delivered its decision in the case of Seamus Mallon v The Minister for Justice and others, providing critical clarity on the legality of mandatory retirement ages in the public sector. This case underscores the balance between promoting intergenerational fairness and protecting the rights of older employees. In this session, we will explore the implications of this ruling for both public and private sector employers. While the public sector now has a clearer framework for mandatory retirement ages, private sector employers must navigate the nuanced requirements of the Employment Equality Acts. Employers must ensure that any set retirement age is “objectively and reasonably justified by a legitimate aim, and the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary.” Cathal McGreal BL explores the challenges for Irish employers; provides the latest on the case-law and addresses key learnings for employers and employment lawyers. |
10.15am |
Q&A Cathal McGreal answers your questions |
10.25am |
Break – Stretch Your Legs, Get Away from the Screen, and we will see you in 25 mins |
10:50am |
Inclusive by Design: Strategies for Creating Acceptance in the WorkplaceIn today’s diverse and evolving Ireland, it’s essential for workplaces to not only comply with equality laws but to actively foster environments where all employees, regardless of race or background, feel truly welcomed and accepted. Led by Dr. Ebun Joseph, a renowned race relations consultant and lecturer with extensive expertisein the area of race and inequality in the labour market, this session will explore practical strategies for creating inclusive spaces where everyone, including migrants and individuals of different races, can bring their whole selves to work. Dr. Joseph, who holds a PhD in Equality Studies and has played a pivotal role in advancing anti-racism initiatives across Ireland, will address the unique challenges new staff may face, such as feeling like a "fish out of water," and discuss how employers can ensure a smooth transition and lasting sense of belonging. Dr. Joseph is also the newly appointed Special Rapporteur on racial equality and racism in Ireland monitoring the implementation of the NAPAR. |
11.35am |
Q&A Dr. Ebun Joseph answers your questions |
11.45am |
Screen Break – See you in fifteen minutes |
12.00pm |
EU and International Equality Law DevelopmentsAlmost all employment equality rights in Ireland are derived from EU legislation. Therefore, employment equality cases decided at the CJEU have a huge influence on our domestic laws and often set a precedent that must be followed by courts in Ireland. Cases at the European Court of Human Rights can also havea big impact in Ireland. Michelle Ní Longáin, Partner, ByrneWallace LLP, provides an in-depth analysis of the year’s important international cases and other overseas’ developments in the equality field. Other international developments this year include:
NOTE: Subjects covered in this session may vary and will focus on the most important CJEU/ECtHR cases and other international developments as at October 2024. |
12.45pm |
Q&A Michelle Ní Longáin answers your questions |
12.55pm |
Summary and Close: Final words of Day 1 from Maeve Regan. |
Day 2
23rd October 2024
9.15am |
Welcome Back to Day 2: Victoria Smith, Knowledge Partner & Maeve Regan welcome delegates back and summarise key learning points from Day 1 of the event |
9.30am |
Managing conflicting rights in the workplaceThere is a growing issue of addressing conflicting rights in the workplace. This is one of the most difficult challenges for employers, at a time where workers are encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work. This session will provide tools to manage these sensitive issues with empathy and legal insight, ensuring an inclusive environment while respecting freedom of belief. Participants will learn strategies to balance employees' rights to express their views while maintaining a supportive and non-discriminatory workplace. Join Patrick Barrett BL as he explains:
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10.15am |
Q&A Patrick Barrett answers your questions. |
10.25am |
Break – Stretch Your Legs, Get Away from the Screen, and we will see you in 25 mins |
10:50am |
Irish Employment Equality Case Law Review 2024Orla Murphy BL provides an overview of this year’s important Irish employment equality cases before the Labour Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and highlights the key lessons for employers and employment law practitioners. NOTE: Subjects covered in this session may vary and will focus on the most important Irish cases as of October 2024. |
11.45am |
Q&A Orla Murphy BL answers your questions |
11:55am |
Screen Break– see you back in five minutes |
12.00pm |
Looking Forward: Other Employment Equality Developments to Watch Out ForWe cover a lot of equality issues elsewhere in this event. In this final session, Conor Power SC explores other equality matters not discussed in depth in other sessions, but which are nonetheless impacting Ireland, such as:
NOTE: Subjects covered in this session may vary from those shown and will focus on the most important employment equality developments asat October 2024 that are not explored in detail elsewhere in this programme. |
12.45pm |
Q&A Conor Power SC answers your questions |
12.55pm |
Summary and Close: Final words of Day 2 from Maeve Regan |
Testimonials
"Wide variety of topics covered, and excellent notes provided."
Shane Gallen, Associate, Lewis Silkin
"Well delivered with up to the minute advice and case law."
Norah Mason, Assistant National Director of Human Resources, Health Service Executive
" The quality of the speakers is very impressive and it's great that I can rewatch the sessions - that's a real bonus."
Stacey Golden, HR Business Partner, Office of Government Procurement
"Very well organised, very relevant."
Celine Maguire, Group Head of HR, Queally Group
"Really good, very informative, great speakers"
Jane McCarthy, HR Manager, Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
"This event was very well organised, easily accessible and pleasant to engage with."
Aisling Carey, Legal Researcher, Workplace Relations Commission
Presenters
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Cathal McGreal BL
Cathal McGreal BL is a graduate of UCD and the Honourable Society of Kings Inns with post graduate work in labour law and human rights (B.L. B.C.L. (Eurolegal) 1998). He is a practising barrister specialising in criminal law and employment law. He is a published author in both fields. He has represented public and private sector (individual and corporate) clients at every level of the courts and tribunal system. A lecturer at UCD, he also lectures widely on the conference circuit on current law and practice.
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Conor Power SC Senior Counsel
Conor Power is a senior counsel.
He has been practising barrister for 20 years and his areas of practice areas include employment law, equality and human rights law.
Conor has represented and advised private, institutional, corporate and State clients
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Dr Ebun Joseph Lecturer, Module Coordinator and Diversity & Race Relations Consultant
University College Dublin
Dr Ebun Joseph is a Diversity and Race relations consultant, Module Coordinator and Lecturer, Black Studies at University College Dublin (UCD), Director and Founder of the Institute of Antiracism and Black Studies (IABS), and founder and Chairperson, African Scholars Association Ireland (AFSAI 2018-2022). Dr Joseph held the position of Career Development Consultant at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (2017-2021) and was a Teaching Fellow at Trinity College Dublin. Ebun is an author, TV panellist, Columnist and an equality activist.
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Maeve Regan Consultant Solicitor
Maeve Regan is a Consultant Solicitor in Human Rights and Employment Law. Maeve is the Consultant Editor and co-author of Employment Law (second edition, Bloomsbury Professional, 2017) and General Editor and co-author of the first edition of Employment Law (first edition, Bloomsbury Professional, 2009). Maeve trained with Arthur Cox and subsequently worked with Community Law and Mediation, FLAC and Mercy Law Resource Centre, where she held the position of Managing Solicitor. Since 2009, Maeve has been a lecturer on the Law Society Diploma in Employment Law.
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Marguerite Bolger High Court Judge
Marguerite Bolger is a judge of the Irish High Court and currently sits in the non-jury and judicial review list. She was previously a Senior Counsel and practised extensively in employment law and equality law before the Irish and European courts. She is the author of a number of legal articles and textbooks including the 2nd edition of ‘Employment Equality Law’ due to be published by Roundhall Thomson Reuters shortly.
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Michelle Ní Longáin Head of Employment Law & Head of Public Sector Group
ByrneWallace LLP
Michelle is a Head of Employment Law at ByrneWallace LLP,was appointed Senior Counsel by the government in 2024, and is the firm's Compliance Partner. She is also Head of the firm’s Public Sector Group. She has extensive experience in employment, equality and administrative law. Michelle qualified as a solicitor in Northern Ireland, practising there in employment and equality law from 1994 before moving to England and Wales in 1996 and returning to Ireland in 1999 when she joined the firm. Michelle advises public and private sector clients, primarily employers, on complex areas of employment, equality and administrative law.
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Orla Murphy BL Barrister
Orla Murphy is a practising barrister, and specialises in employment and equality law. She regularly advises and represents employees and employers before the courts and employment tribunals. She is a committee member of the Employment Bar Association.