Articles
The Maternity Protection, Employment Equality, and Preservation of Certain Records Act 2024 introduced significant changes to the Employment Equality Act 1998, particularly regarding non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
The Act restricts the use of non-disclosure provisions in cases involving allegations of discrimination, victimization, harassment, or sexual harassment. NDAs that prevent employees from disclosing these allegations or actions taken in response to them are now void, except under specific circumstances outlined in the Act.
NDAs will remain valid if they are part of a WRC mediation or meet the criteria of an "excepted" NDA. For an NDA to be "excepted”, the employee must request the NDA and receive independent legal advice, the cost of which must be covered by the employer.
Employment Law & Benefits in 2025
Mason Hayes & Curran | Dec 2024
The Act amends maternity protection legislation to allow an employee to postpone maternity leave in the event of a serious health condition.
An employee who is pregnant or on maternity leave may postpone their maternity leave if they have a serious health condition. This is a health condition which:
- entails a serious risk to an employee’s life or health, including mental health; and
- requires necessary medical intervention that is ongoing for a period of time.
Under the Act, “necessary medical intervention” in relation to mental health is defined as inpatient hospital treatment. The Act does not apply the same limitation to physical health conditions.
If an employee wishes to postpone their maternity leave, they are required to notify their employer in writing and provide a medical certificate at least two weeks before the start of the postponement period. Maternity leave may be postponed for up to 52 weeks initially and by a further additional period in certain circumstances.
Ireland updates maternity leave law and restricts use of NDAs
Pinsent Masons | Nov 2024
Upcoming Employment Law Changes for 2024/25 and Beyond
Collier Broderick | Sep 2024
News Sources
SHRM Online: Global HR News
SHRM Global HR Monthly Newsletter: Subscribe
ABYZ News Links: Ireland Newspapers and News Media
International Labor and Employment Compliance Handbook
Featuring 27 countries and counting, this interactive handbook can be used to find detailed and up-to-date compliance information, allowing users to compare the legal landscape and analyze solutions to employment problems in each jurisdiction.
Access: Included with your SHRM membership. See SHRM's Interactive Tools.
GlobeSmart: Ireland Country Guide via SHRM OnlineSHRM's partnership with Aperian Global provides SHRM members with access to GlobeSmart, an online learning platform that promotes global collaboration and inclusion. Through GlobeSmart, SHRM members can access information on working in globally diverse environments with people from different cultures. In addition, members can also access global employment law information through the Employment Law Alliance's Global Employer Handbook.
Access: Included with your SHRM membership. See this HRQA for instructions.
Brightmine™ HR & Compliance Centre: Ireland HR and Employment Law Guide via SHRMStore
Brightmine authoritative and reliable country and territory HR and Employment Law Guides help HR professionals with responsibilities for staff outside of the United States navigate the challenges of being a global employer.
Access: Purchase Brightmine Ireland HR and Employment Law Guide in SHRMStore.
Additional Employment Law Resources
Employment Law Overview Ireland
L&E Global
Global Guide Quarterly (You can refine search results by country and more in the toolbar on the right.)
Littler
Going Global Series: Ireland
DLA Piper
Law Firm Articles
JD Supra: Ireland
Mondaq: Ireland
General Country Guides
CIA World Factbook: Ireland
World Travel Guide: Ireland
SHRM Members' Survey
Tell us what you think about the Express Request self-service feature in a few quick questions.
An organization run by AI is not a futuristic concept. Such technology is already a part of many workplaces and will continue to shape the labor market and HR. Here's how employers and employees can successfully manage generative AI and other AI-powered systems.
Related Content
HR must always include human intelligence and oversight of AI in decision-making in hiring and firing, a legal expert said at SHRM24. She added that HR can ensure compliance by meeting the strictest AI standards, which will be in Colorado’s upcoming AI law.
The proliferation of artificial intelligence in the workplace, and the ensuing expected increase in productivity and efficiency, could help usher in the four-day workweek, some experts predict.
Learn how Marsh McLennan successfully boosts staff well-being with digital tools, improving productivity and work satisfaction for more than 20,000 employees.