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.
Community sector employers are responsible for ensuring all their
employees receive basic employment rights.
It’s important that you
understand your responsibilities as an employer. Ignorance is no defence
when the Inspector calls. In general the Inspector’s powers include –
- To enter any premises at a reasonable time
- To demand sight of records
- To inspect records
- To take copies of records
- To interview and require information from any relevant person
Inspectors make “announced” and “unannounced” inspections. ‘Announced’
inspections are arranged by letter or telephone. Unannounced inspections
arrive at your place of business at any time and you are obliged to
provide whatever information they require.
Employee’s rights are
covered by a range of detailed employment legislation. The ERB website provides a resource
with general and practical information for community employers.
This e-newsletter provides general information on Irish employment
Law and good practice. This e-newsletter is provided for information
purposes only which may not address the particular circumstances of your
organisation.
The content in this e-newsletter is NOT a legal interpretation of any
matter and should not be seen as such. For professional or legal advice
you should consult a suitably qualified person.
