Minister for Labour Affairs, Billy Kelleher, TD, gave the opening address today, 18 April 2008, at a conference held by one of Ireland’s leading law firms, Ronan Daly Jermyn (RDJ). The conference, being held in conjunction with Morley and Associates, entitled ‘Employment Law – Are you compliant?’ was held to assist employers familiarise themselves with their employment law obligations.
Minister Kelleher told the conference: “With the advent of NERA and the publication of the Employment Law Compliance Bill, 2008, employers must now ensure they are fully compliant in all aspects of the employment relationship in order to avoid substantial fines and penalties. The Bill is the most significant piece of legislation in the area of employment rights in recent years. It will overhaul the labour inspectorate, strengthen the enforcement of employment rights and promote greater compliance in the workplace”.
Speaking at the conference, Jennifer Cashman, a Partner in RDJ’s employment law team noted: “Since the advent of NERA we have seen a marked increase in the number of spot checks by labour inspectors to our client premises. The labour inspectors will seek access to all documentation and records required under the legislation. These spot checks are carried out randomly and under the new compliance bill inspectors now have a statutory footing allowing them to prosecute summary offences.”
“Compliance has always been necessary in relation to employment rights but with the new bill there are now greater consequences for those who do not stringently adhere to the legislation,” added Ms Cashman.
The penalties for offences arising under employment law include, in most cases up to €5,000 and/or 12 months’ imprisonment for summary offences and €250,000 and/or 3 years’ imprisonment for indictable offences;
Along with Jennifer Cashman, Alice Crowley, from RDJ’s employment law team, guided the delegates through their obligations, which arise from the moment the recruitment process is triggered right through to the termination of the employment relationship.
Hugh Morley, Morley and Associates, highlighted the practical implications of employers new obligations. “All employers should conduct a HR audit of their organisation to ensure that they are within their obligations and should take all steps necessary to make themselves fully compliant.”
For media enquiries, please contact:
Susie Horgan, Ronan Daly Jermyn Tel: (021) 4802726 or email susie.horgan@rdj.ie
Back
