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Increase in Minimum Wage

New Legislation Enacted

Author: Niall Pelly, Partner – GQ | Littler

With effect from January 1, 2022, the national minimum wage will increase from €10.20 to €10.50 per hour for employees aged 20 or over.

WFH Likely to Remain in Place for Q1 of 2022

New Regulation or Official Guidance

Author: Niall Pelly, Partner – GQ | Littler

It had been expected that a full return to offices would be permitted from October 22, 2021, with the lifting of all remaining statutory COVID-19 restrictions, but this has been postponed until February/March 2022 due to high case numbers and the emergence of the Omicron variant. Current public health directive is that employees should work from home unless it is necessary for them to attend their workplace in person.

Draft Legislation Providing Mandatory Sick Pay

Proposed Bill or Initiative

Author: Niall Pelly, Partner – GQ | Littler

The Government has published the Sick Leave Bill 2021 which will, when enacted, impose a mandatory obligation on the part of Irish employers to provide sick pay. No such obligation currently exists. The Bill provides for statutory sick leave payment (SSP) for an employee up to three days absence a year due to illness or injury. An employee becomes entitled to SSP after they have completed 13 weeks of continuous service with their employer and has provided a medical certificate confirming the employee’s inability to work. SSP will be paid at the rate of 70% of regular earnings, up to €110 per day. It is expected that this draft legislation will be enacted in the first six months of 2022. It is envisaged that SSP entitlements will gradually rise from three days per year when introduced, up to 10 days per year by 2025.