Ireland

Ireland

Capital: Dublin
Currency: Euro- EUR
EUR

Ireland Labour Law and Employment Policy Overview

Employment Law Overview

  • Key Legislation:
    • Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997
    • Employment Acts, 2003
    • Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2015
  • Legal Characteristics:
    • Aims to protect employee rights and promote a fair employment environment.
    • Sets out standards for minimum wage, working hours, holidays, and redundancy.

Employment Contract Requirements

  • Contract Types:
    • Indefinite contracts
    • Fixed-term contracts (less common)
  • Contractual Terms:
    • Names of employer and employee
    • Employer's address
    • Contract duration (if applicable)
    • Rate of pay or method of calculation
    • Payment intervals
    • Normal working hours
  • Language and Currency:
    • Contracts must be written in English.
    • Currency is Euro (EUR).

Working Time Regulations

  • Standard Working Hours: 39 hours per week
  • Rest Days and Breaks:
    • Minimum of 24 hours rest per week
    • Minimum of 11 hours rest per day

Holiday Policy

  • Annual Leave: 20 days of paid annual leave per year
  • Public Holidays: 10 statutory public holidays
  • Special Leave:
    • Sick Leave: 3 days of paid sick leave per year from 2023, increasing to 10 days by 2026.
    • Maternity Leave: 26 weeks of paid maternity leave, with a minimum of 2 weeks before and 4 weeks after childbirth.
    • Paternity Leave: 7 weeks of paid paternity leave, to be taken within 6 months of the child's birth.

Employee Redundancy and Termination of Contracts

  • Notice Periods:
    • 13 weeks to 2 years of employment: 1 week's notice
    • 2 to 5 years of employment: 2 weeks' notice
    • 5 to 10 years of employment: 4 weeks' notice
    • 10 to 15 years of employment: 6 weeks' notice
    • 15+ years of employment: 8 weeks' notice
  • Redundancy Pay:
    • Only applies to employees dismissed for business reasons with over 2 years of service.
    • 2 weeks' pay per year of service, plus 1 additional week.
    • Maximum annual salary for calculation is €31,200.
  • Unfair Dismissal Protection:
    • Employees dismissed for unfair reasons (e.g., discrimination, harassment) may seek a statement of reasons for dismissal.

Taxation

  • Personal Income Tax:

    • Salary RangeTax Rate
      €0 - €40,00020%
      €40,000+40%
  • Social Insurance Contributions:

    • Employee: 4% of salary
    • Employer: 8.5% to 10.75% of salary

Health Insurance

  • Insurance Policy:
    • Employers are not required to provide private health insurance for employees.
  • Coverage:
    • Public healthcare system provides basic medical services.

Pay and Benefits

  • Minimum Wage: €11.30 per hour
  • Pay Structure:
    • Monthly salary, paid on the last day of the month
    • Bonuses and allowances are common.

Work Permits and Visas

  • Permit Requirements:
    • Workers from outside the EU/EEA require a work permit.
  • Application Process:
    • Employer applies to the Irish Immigration Service on behalf of the employee.

Confidentiality and Non-Compete Clauses

  • Enforceability:
    • Confidentiality and non-compete clauses are enforceable in Ireland.
  • Common Provisions:
    • Restrict employees from using or disclosing the employer's confidential information after leaving employment.
    • Restrict employees from working for competitors after leaving employment.

Training and Development

  • Legal Requirements:
    • Employers must provide safety training and opportunities for skill development.
  • Government Support:
    • Government provides funding and incentives to encourage business training.

Workplace Diversity and Inclusion

  • Legal Requirements:
    • Discrimination based on race, gender, religion, age, or disability is prohibited.
  • Enforcement:
    • The Equality and Human Rights Commission is responsible for enforcing anti-discrimination laws.

Remote Work Policy

  • Legal Framework:
    • No specific legal framework governing remote work.
  • Tax and Insurance Implications:
    • Remote work may impact tax and social insurance obligations.

Authoritative Website Addresses

1.Ireland Labour Law and Employment Policy Overview
1.1Employment Law Overview
1.2Employment Contract Requirements
1.3Working Time Regulations
1.4Holiday Policy
1.5Employee Redundancy and Termination of Contracts
1.6Taxation
1.7Health Insurance
1.8Pay and Benefits
1.9Work Permits and Visas
1.10Confidentiality and Non-Compete Clauses
1.11Training and Development
1.12Workplace Diversity and Inclusion
1.13Remote Work Policy
1.14Authoritative Website Addresses