With Ireland actively recruiting the likes of foreign nurses into their health service and a recent report ranking Ireland as the third freest economy in the world, the reasons to move to live and work in Ireland and increasing all the time. And whilst a leading think tank has stated that one should avoid investing in property in Ireland right at the moment, there are more reasons to live in Ireland than not!
One of the main reasons why Ireland is an excellent place to consider living and working is because employees’ rights are clearly defined in law and as an employee legally engaged by an employer in Ireland, you can rest easy knowing that your rights are protected.
If you’ve been thinking about applying for a job in Ireland or you’re actively investigating the option of relocating to live on the Emerald Isle, here’s a breakdown of the most salient working rights points for would-be employees: -
1) You should receive a written statement of the terms and conditions of your employment from your employer within two months of starting your job. Details that should be included therein relate to the method of calculating your salary and whether there are schemes in place covering your pay should you need to take a leave of absence through illness.
2) You should also receive a pay slip in written form either weekly or more likely, monthly. This should not only detail your gross and net take-home pay, but also the deductions you encounter.
3) You should receive at least the minimum wage – this goes up annually so check to ensure that you are being paid at least the national minimum wage.
4) The maximum working week in Ireland is 48 hours and your employer should keep a record of your hours. For your own sake it is also worth keeping a record for yourself.
5) You are allowed a certain number of unpaid breaks. For example, if you are working for a period of four and a half hours you are entitled to an unpaid break of fifteen minutes and if you’re working six hours you are entitled to a break of thirty minutes.
6) As a full time employee in Ireland you’re entitled to a minimum of four weeks paid annual leave. As a part time employee your holiday entitlement is calculated as a proportional amount based on how many hours you work compared to a full time employee.
7) Finally, you have the right to a minimum notice period beyond which your employer can dismiss you if work ceases.
If you’re thinking about living and working in Ireland and you want more information about your rights as a would-be employee, visit the National Employment Rights Authority website.
