Workplace Investigations & Disciplinary Matters
Workplace investigations can be difficult for both employers and employees, particularly when disciplinary action may follow. Having a clear, fair process in place is essential. In this video, Damien McCarthy, Colin Ryan and Patrick Scanlon discuss how employers should approach workplace investigations and why fair procedures matter. They cover the WRC Code of Practice, the […]
Best EOR Companies
The global workforce is evolving rapidly, and Employer of Record (EOR) services have become essential for organisations looking to hire talent across borders without establishing legal entities in every market. Whether you’re scaling a remote team or expanding into new territories, choosing the right EOR partner can streamline compliance, reduce administrative burden, and accelerate growth. […]
Analyzing Complaint and Inspection Trends in the 2025 Annual WRC Report
Complaints The report shows that complaints to the WRC remained high, with 10,559 complaint applications recorded during the year, representing a 44% increase on the previous reporting year. The data available from the report details the most common complaint areas and outlines where HR controls are most needed. The most common complaint areas were disputes […]
EU Pay Transparency Directive for Irish Employers: What to Know By June 2026
What Is the Directive trying to achieve? The EU Pay Transparency Directive was approved in June 2023 with one core ambition: close the gender pay gap by making pay structures more open, both inside organisations and during the hiring process. The rules require employers to ensure equal pay for equal work, share salary information with […]
EOR Trends Irish HR Teams Need to Watch in 2026
For Irish HR leaders, 2026 is shaping up to be the year that Employer of Record services stop being a niche solution and start becoming core infrastructure. Whether you are running people ops for a Dublin scale-up, managing a rewards function for a multinational with its EMEA hub in Cork, or handling mobility for a […]
January 2026 Newsletter—It Will Be a Busy Year for HR Regulations
The January newsletter is full of important regulatory changes, upcoming due dates, a recent case adjudication, and more. Here are the topics at a glance, read below for more detail. Revenue’s Employee Classification Amnesty Deadline Approaches Public Holiday Pay Clarity Pension Auto-Enrolment — New Regulations New Employer PRSI Rates More Details On the EU Pay Transparency […]
Growing Your Global Team: Why HR Buddy is Ireland’s Premier Local EOR Expert
Expanding into the Irish market in 2026 offers immense opportunities, but it also comes with a unique set of compliance hurdles. From managing the new €14.15 national minimum wage to navigating new pension auto-enrolment (as of January 2026), international businesses need more than just a software platform—they need a local partner. HR Buddy has emerged […]
The Red-carpet employee
The red-carpet employee is a worker who largely works remotely but then turns up at the workplace occasionally or sporadically and proceeds to treat it as a special occasion, hogging the limelight, much to the annoyance of their bosses and work colleagues.
The “red-carpet employee” is the new workplace buzz-term of 2026. The term was coined by leading HR & workplace expert, Damien McCarthy, who is the founder and Managing Director of leading HR Consultancy firm, HR Buddy.
HR Buddy software launch – HR Buddy Manager
HR Buddy has launched HR Buddy Manager, an all-in-one HR software that gives HR teams, managers, and employees a single, comprehensive source that’s easy-to-use, saves time and keeps you compliant. You can find out all the details here or start a free trial at https://www.hrbuddy.ie/hr-buddy-manager/
Statutory Sick Pay to remain paused at 5 days, Goverment announces.
A plan to increase workers’ statutory sick pay leave from five to seven days have been paused by the Government.
The issue was discussed by Cabinet this morning and a decision was taken not to proceed with the proposal.
Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke told the Government that certain sectors would be hit hard if the sick leave days were extended.
June 1st, 2025: Employers with 50 or more employees will be required to publish their gender pay gap report.
In 2025, the annual pay gap report in Ireland is due in November. (This is different from 2024, when it was due in December.)
Employers can choose any day in June as their “snapshot date” for collecting pay data. For example, if an employer selects 20th of June as their snapshot date, their report would be due on 20th of November 2025.
HR Buddy 2025 Right to disconnect & workplace wellbeing survey results
An Irish workplace survey carried out by HR Buddy has revealed that people’s mental health and wellbeing is being impacted by their work as they are struggling to “switch off” with Two-thirds of workers revealing that they use their personal phones for work related tasks and communications. Four in ten also revealed they have taken a sick day in the last 12 months due to their mental health & wellbeing.
HR advice ahead of workplace Christmas party season! – HR Buddy
There is common mistakes and mishaps that can happen and leave an employer liable. Very often workplaces throw caution to the wind with these events but they should plan and consider, because whilst most workplace Christmas parties end up being great fun events, some things can go wrong and when they do, they can go badly wrong. So, employers need to plan properly.
HR Consulting Ireland and Employment Contracts in Ireland
What does a contract of employment include?
A well-drafted employment contract is key to a healthy working relationship. It clarifies expectations for both the employer and employee, reducing the chances of future issues regarding the employment agreement.
HR Buddy to create 20 jobs as their Employer of Record service expands them to international markets.
HR Buddy is fully equipped to offer all the expertise needed for organisations wishing to place and employ people in Ireland and our Employer of record service has seen huge growth over 2024 in particular.
Mothers who fall ill during maternity leave will soon be able to reclaim their “lost” time off from work.
It will apply where a mother falls ill, either while pregnant or during maternity leave. And post-partum depression could be an allowable condition.
This will also include extending the entitlement to parent’s (paid) leave from August 1 this year. It will go from seven weeks to nine weeks, to be taken in the first few years of life.
HR Buddy Right to disconnect & workplace wellbeing survey 2024
2024 results revealed that people’s mental health and wellbeing is being impacted by their work as they are not able to “switch off” with four in ten revealing they have taken a sick day in the last 12 months due to their mental health & wellbeing.
Code of Practice on Right to request flexible and remote working is published
The Government has brought the right to request remote working into operation.
The right to request flexible working arrangements for parents and carers has also commenced.
A code of practice for employers and employers, drawn up by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), has been approved and published.
New year changes for employers to prepare for
The right to request remote working and the right to request flexible working under the Work Life Balance Act require a code of practice. This code of practice is currently under development at the Workplace Relations Commission.
Statutory Domestic Violence Leave to Commence on Monday 27th November
From Monday, 27 November 2023, it will be a legal requirement for employers to offer up to five days of paid leave over a period of 12 months to employees affected by domestic violence.