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Employer guides

Leave & absence

The leave entitlements Irish employers have to get right, explained plainly, from annual leave and statutory sick pay to family leave, along with the common slips that end up at the WRC.

Leave & Absence

Five Parental Leave Mistakes Irish Employers Make

Parental leave in Ireland gives qualifying parents 26 weeks of unpaid leave per child, but Irish employers regularly make mistakes with requests, documentation, and return-to-work obligations that lead to WRC complaints.

Leave & Absence

Jury Duty Ireland: What Employers Must Know

Jury duty in Ireland places specific pay and absence obligations on employers that many SMEs are unprepared for. This Q&A covers the employer’s role when an employee receives a jury summons, including pay, protections, and the compliance risks of getting it wrong.

Leave & Absence

Statutory Sick Pay Exemption: WRC Ruling Overturned by the Labour Court

The Labour Court has overturned a WRC decision on statutory sick pay in Ireland, confirming that employers with more favourable company schemes can claim exemption under the Sick Leave Act 2022. This ruling highlights why sick pay policy documentation and annual review matter more than most employers realise.

Leave & Absence

Maternity Leave in Ireland: Where Employers Keep Getting It Wrong

Maternity leave in Ireland carries obligations for employers that begin at pregnancy disclosure and extend well past the return to work. This article covers the five mistakes Irish employers make most often, and what they cost when a WRC notification follows.

Leave & Absence

Paternity Leave in Ireland: Five Mistakes Employers Make

Paternity leave in Ireland is a statutory entitlement that many employers treat as straightforward, until a WRC complaint arrives. This article sets out the five most common mistakes employers make with paternity leave in Ireland, from confusing it with Parent’s Leave to failing to protect employee rights during absence.

Leave & Absence

Annual Leave Ireland: Complete Guide to Holiday Entitlements for Employers

Every employee in Ireland is entitled to a minimum of four working weeks of annual leave per year. This guide explains how entitlements are calculated, what the law says about part-time staff, and how to handle carryover, public holidays, and pay.

Leave & Absence

Bereavement Leave Ireland: Employer Guide to Compassionate Leave Policies

There is no statutory entitlement to bereavement leave in Ireland, yet most employers offer it, and the best ones have a clear policy. This guide covers compassionate leave allowances, force majeure rules, and how to support your team.

Leave & Absence

Sick Pay Ireland 2026: Statutory Sick Leave Entitlements for Employers

Since the Sick Leave Act 2022, Irish employers must provide statutory sick pay. The current entitlement is 5 days at 70% of normal wages, capped at €110 per day. This guide covers eligibility, certification, employer obligations, and what is changing.

Leave & Absence

Bank Holidays Ireland 2026: Complete Guide to Public Holiday Entitlements

Ireland has 10 bank holidays in 2026, including St. Brigid’s Day. This guide lists every date and explains the employer obligations around public holiday pay, entitlements for part-time staff, and what happens when a bank holiday falls on a non-working day.

Leave & Absence

Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): A Practical Guide for Irish SMEs

Occupational sick pay goes beyond the statutory minimum, and for many Irish SMEs, offering it is the difference between retaining good people and losing them. This guide covers how to design a fair, affordable OSP policy.

Leave & Absence

Contacting Employees While on Leave: What Employers in Ireland Need to Know

Can you contact an employee on annual leave? Legally, yes. But getting it wrong can trigger a grievance, undermine trust, or raise questions about your right-to-disconnect obligations. Here is where the line is for Irish employers.

Dealing with this in your own business?

If one of these issues has landed on your desk, talk to us before it escalates. Fixed monthly support, WRC representation included, your fee agreed in writing first.