Establishment The Workplace Relations Commission was established on a non-statutory basis in 2012, following a Government decision to reform existing employment rights and industrial relations structures. It seeks to offer a single, independent, impartial, cost-effective means of redress and enforcement for workplace disputes. The Workplace Relations Act, 2015 placed the Workplace Relations Commission on a statutory basis. It had operated […]
Commencement of WRC Complaint There is a common procedure for the presentation of complaints and the referral of disputes under employment legislation to the Director General of the Workplace Relations Commission. The complaint is presented to the Director General by giving notice thereof in writing to the Director-General. The notice shall contain such particulars and be in such form as […]
Enforcement The Workplace Relations Act, 2015 provides for new enforcement procedures in workplace and employment matters. Inspectors have been appointed to the Workplace Relations Commission. They succeed the former NERA Inspectorate. The powers of the Inspectors and authorised officers are consolidated. An Inspector may, by the use of reasonable force if necessary, enter any workplace or any premises at reasonable […]
Industrial Relations Bodies The State has established a number of bodies designed to assist in the resolution of actual or threatened industrial action or strikes. The principal bodies were the Labour Court, the Labour Relations Commission and Rights Commissioners. The Labour Court and the Rights Commissions also had certain legally binding powers under employment legislation. Almost all of the powers […]
Evolution of Court The Labour Court was established in 1946 (following the enactment of the Industrial Relations Act, 1946). Its main functions were to adjudicate in trade disputes and to provide a conciliation service. Other functions given to the Court included the establishment of Joint Labour Committees and the registration of employment agreements and Joint Industrial Councils. The Labour Court’s […]
Enforcing Decisions I If a respondent (usually the employer) fails to carry out a decision of an Adjudication Officer of the Workplace Relations Commission, or a decision of the Labour Court arising from an appeal of an Adjudication Officer’s decision, within the prescribed time, an application may be made to the District Court for an order directing the Employer to […]
Overview of Previous Bodies The State has established a number of Tribunals, Commissioners and other bodies over time in the employment sphere. Most of these bodies have now been merged and combined into the Workplace Relations Commission. See the section on the Workplace Relations Commission. Some such bodies dealt with collective matters in the industrial relations area while others were […]
Industrial Relations Bodies The State has established a number of bodies designed to assist in the resolution of actual or threatened industrial action or strikes. The principal bodies were the Labour Court, the Labour Relations Commission and Rights Commissioners. The Labour Court and the Rights Commissions also had certain legally binding powers under employment legislation. Almost all of the powers […]