WORKPLACE RELATIONS BILL 2014

Landmark reform will see five State workplace relations bodies merged into two.

The recent publication of the Workplace Relations Bill 2014 is a very significant development in Irish Employment Law. It is anticipated that the Bill will be progressed through the Dail and Seanad in the autumn, with a view to enactment before the end of 2014. Once enacted, the Bill will replace the existing outdated system for resolving workplace disputes and industrial relations complaints in Ireland. There are currently five workplace relations bodies in existence, namely the Labour Relations Commission, the Rights Commissioner Service, the Equality Tribunal, the Employment Appeals Tribunal and the National Employment Rights Authority.

Under the new framework these bodies will be amalgamated and replaced with just two bodies:-

1. The Workplace Relations Commission, which will deal with all complaints in the first instance; and
2. The Labour Court, which will deal with appeals.

It is hoped that the two bodies will create a more efficient system for resolving employment disputes and will eliminate the need to take multiple claims to multiple workplace relations bodies; which is confusing and costly for both employees and employers.

For more information, please contact catriona@brophysolicitors.ie or for a full copy of the press release of the 8th of July 2014, please click here.

Catriona Sharkey
Brophy Solicitors