The annual Time to Talk Day takes place on Thursday February 6th this year. Its aim is to raise awareness of mental health issues and encourage open conversations about such issues. In late 2018, the Irish Times reported that Ireland had “one of the highest rates of mental health illness in Europe”. Joint third, in fact. Mentalhealthireland.ie states that one …
Taking Bullying Complaints Seriously
Bullying Lowered productivity. Industrial relations problems. Litigation. These are among the potential impacts for a company if it fails to deal adequately with an allegation of bullying. So this is no trivial matter and companies need to be adequately prepared in order to be able to take such complaints seriously. Obviously prevention is better than cure and companies can reduce …
Prevention is Always Better Than Cure: The Importance of Getting your Paperwork Right!
Prevention is Always Better Than Cure: The Importance of Getting your Paperwork Right! The idea that prevention is necessarily better than cure long ago made its way from adage into the heart of employee and industrial relations policy. However, the legal environment in which Irish employers now operate has changed significantly and has become increasingly more challenging and complex. Too …
The Gender Pay Gap Information Bill
In the UK, mandatory gender pay gap reporting indicated that on average 77% of employers pay men more than they pay women. Legislation requiring gender pay gap reporting was introduced there in 2017 and organisations with greater than 250 employees were required to submit their first report in April 2018. The General Scheme of the Gender Pay Gap Information Bill was published …
The Cost of Workplace Stress: A Guide for Irish Employers
Stress. It seems pervasive. It has gotten to the point now where we are taken aback when we encounter someone who doesn’t seem to have any. But what is it? And, in particular, what is it in the workplace? The Irish Health and Safety Authority defines work-related stress as “stress caused or made worse by work. It simply refers to when …
Managing Attendance While Controlling Absenteeism: A Guide for Irish Employers
What is absenteeism? At its simplest, it’s when an employee is not physically present – though there is also the “presenteeism” of employees being physically present but not adequately focussed on their work. This could result from a lack or limit on paid sick time, or indeed worry at how their absence would be perceived. According to Professor Ciarán O’Boyle, …
Walking a Tightrope: Fair Selection for Redundancy
Britain’s vote to leave Europe with no-deal has the potential to rock the Irish economy, with those working in agri-food, agriculture, traditional manufacturing and road-transport likely to be the hardest hit. Economic experts believe a no-deal Brexit will have a significant impact on employment and employment opportunities in sectors with exposure to the British market, particularly where businesses are vulnerable to …
Dealing with Pokémon GO at Work – A Guide for Irish Employers
Virtual reality games like Pokémon GO are increasingly raising concerns for employers about productivity and safety. The groundbreaking smartphone app, Pokémon GO, has undoubtedly become a craze across Ireland and beyond. The app allows players to explore the real world with their smartphones in the hunt for virtual Pokémon characters. A recent Forbes poll shows that 69% of Pokémon GO …
Accidents in the Workplace – The Importance of Policies and Procedures
Accidents in the workplace can be very costly to a company. In 2014, The Injuries Board made 12,420 awards to the value of over €281 million – that equates to on average over €22,500 per claim. The Injuries Board has seen a year on year rise in these claims over the last 10 years. As a business, it is of …
Irish Employers Beware: Think Twice Before Withdrawing a Job Offer!
There’s a new opening in your organisation. It enthuses Joan – one of your valued employees – and it looks like she’s going to take the position. But Joan is already in a valued role. To backfill Joan’s current position you launch a recruitment effort and make an offer to an excellent candidate – Joe. But then Joan decides to …