ERB Monitor 02/2008

Did you know the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) carried out 14,000 inspections in 2007. There were 2,344 breaches of employment legislation detected. The NERA recovered €2.5m in arrears for workers.

There are now 82 NERA Inspectors. An additional eight Inspectors with Eastern European language skills will be joining them in the coming months.
The key role of the NERA is to ensure that employers are compliant with all aspects of an employee's rights.

Did you know the Christmas office party is an extension of the workplace?
Many employers approach the Christmas party with fear and trepidation as they wrestle with the legal implications.
The easy option is to cancel the Christmas party but this has significant follow on effects on morale.
However with a little planning and sensible organisation you can overcome this potential minefield. Set boundaries from the start and remind staff that the party is work related and an extension of the work place.

Constructive Dismissal arises when an employee terminates his or her contract of employment because of the behavior of the employer.
Generally any dismissal is presumed to be unfair unless the employer can show substantial grounds to justify it.

Recently in the UK an employee was awarded approximately €1.2 million for bullying in the workplace.
It is not inconceivable that the same could happen in Ireland.