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In this article, Declan sets out the key immigration risks for organisations sending business travellers to Ireland, the immigration pitfalls to watch out for, and what you can do to avoid them.

Employers have a proactive legal duty to ensure employees receive the required rest breaks and annual leave. In this article, Conor Fynes and Rachel Jones provide guidance on working time and annual leave compliance in Ireland.

When it comes to taking time off work, what employees and employers want does not always align. It’s vital that employers understand their legal responsibility, their employees rights, and have clear policies in place on annual leave.

James Stewart and Rachael Lawless outline for Law Society Gazette Ireland how Irish employers are increasingly using digital tools to monitor work in hybrid environments, while emphasising that such tracking must remain transparent, proportionate, and compliant with GDPR.

Joanne Hyde shares insights on RTÉ about Ireland’s new Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025, which allows, but does not compel, employees to remain in work until age 66, with additional guidance anticipated in an accompanying code of practice.

From data protection to tax and auto-enrolment, employing remote workers across borders presents complex risks for employers and staff-Síobhra Rush offers key insights for the Irish Independent.

Síobhra Rush joins RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland Business News with Gail Conway to discuss Christmas party etiquette and the do’s and don’ts for employers and staff at festive social gatherings. Drawing on an uptick in grievances and claims seen in 2025, she highlights practical steps and policies employers should have in place to prevent issues and manage complaints. Listen here.

Joanne Hyde and Conor Fynes have written for the Law Society Gazette on the rise in claims under Ireland’s whistleblowing legislation. Nearly three years on from the commencement of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022, which amended the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, they reflect on the act’s key features and the trends emerging since the 2022 amendments.

Fixed-term employment contracts are a common feature in the retail sector, particularly during seasonal peaks, promotional campaigns, or when covering long-term absences. While these contracts offer flexibility, they also carry certain legal obligations. Read the full article on page 73 here.

Lewis Silkin has appointed Olivia O’Kane as a partner to lead its specialist media law practice in both Belfast and Dublin.

Irish Legal News has covered Lewis Silkin’s continued expansion in Belfast, announcing appointment of Caroline McNally, James Stewart and Mark Ward across the firm’s commercial, data privacy & cyber, and corporate teams, alongside promoting Kevin Gallagher in its employment law team. The coverage underscores the firm’s strong momentum and growing footprint in Northern Ireland.

Business Plus has covered Lewis Silkin’s growth in Dublin, announcing the appointments of Emma Quinn, Conor Fynes, and Megan Hurley to its employment law team. The article highlights the firm’s strong growth and ambition to lead in Ireland’s employment law sector.

Retailers in Ireland, like all employers, are increasingly facing Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs) from their employees, often as an initial step when pursuing legal action against their employer. In this article, Linda Hynes outlines the key principles for retailers to manage DSARs effectively and reduce associated risks.

Linda Hynes discusses the need for statutory miscarriage leave in Ireland in an article for the Irish Examiner. The piece highlights the challenges faced by women experiencing miscarriage and the importance of compassionate workplace policies. Read the full article to learn more about this important issue.

A year after the implementation of the new code of practice for flexible and remote working, many workers remain unconvinced of its effectiveness. While the code has brought clarity to the process, it leaves control firmly in the hands of employers, leading to criticism from trade unions and employee representatives.

We have created two new positions in our Belfast team, expanding the intellectual property, media law and commercial dispute resolution elements of our practice. 

Have you had your office Christmas party yet? If not, time is running out! Beyond the fun and festivities with your colleagues, employers have a duty of care to consider. Catherine Hayes discusses this further with Joe on Newstalk. Listen here.

In this article, Laura Ensor examines the implications of the Nolan ruling on ‘no-fault’ dismissals. The decision prompts critical questions: When is a dismissal truly ‘no fault’? At what point is an employee entitled to fair procedures? Read the full article here.

Laura Ensor writes for the Law Society of Ireland Gazette on the High Court decision in Nolan v Science Foundation of Ireland. This decision has put the spotlight back on the concept of ‘no-fault’ dismissals and the law around employment injunctions in Ireland. Read more here. 

Irish Legal News have written an article featuring Síobhra Rush as lawyer of the month. The article provides an overview of Lewis Silkin, the opening and offering of our Ireland offices and Síobhra’s expertise. 

Lewis Silkin has come second in a ranking of the Top 100 organisations that employees love working for.

In this article for the Irish Examiner, Linda Hynes highlights the importance of supporting women experiencing perimenopause and menopause in the workplace.

Lewis Silkin has improved its ranking in the Social Mobility Employer Index for the fifth consecutive year, rising to 7th place - up from 14th last year.

We continued to receive strong recognition in the latest edition of the Legal 500 UK, released today. Alongside our nine ‘Tier 1’ practice rankings we have 40 ranked practice areas and ‘one to watch’ recommendations, and 107 colleagues have been mentioned.

The new government has pledged to introduce a ‘right to switch off’, similar to that introduced in Ireland in 2021. Linda Hynes of the Lewis Silkin Ireland office comments on this for People Management.

The world of work has never been more fluid. It’s easy to out-source projects to a consultant on the other side of the world, or let a valued colleague work from home but beware, there are some serious legal issues you need to think about if you’re hiring a remote worker, or engaging in remote-working for current staff.

Linda Hynes shares opinions surrounding the EU AI Act, and how employers should ensure to use best practice when using AI programming in the job selection process.

The Northern Ireland Assembly’s Committee for the Executive Office is undertaking an inquiry into differences in equality legislation between Northern Ireland, other parts of the UK and the Republic of Ireland, which will run until 6 September 2024.

Over recent years efforts have been made to make the workplace more family friendly and support for those going through IVF has increased. However, some worry that being too truthful about what they’re going through can have unintended consequences. Catherine Hayes comments on how best to proceed and employment law considerations.

Ireland is now a more attractive destination for skilled overseas workers as it is now far easier for their partners to also work there. To make Ireland more attractive to skilled overseas workers, the State has eased the path for family reunification. Declan Groarke outlines the significance of these changes in this article.

Following the recent introduction of the right to request remote and flexible working arrangements and guidance for employers published by the WRC, Catherine Hayes and Sinead Likely look at what the Code of Practice says, and some of the key takeaways employers need to know.

Proposals being discussed to potentially re-introduce visa requirements for South African nationals will significantly impact Irish companies - Declan Groarke comments for the Irish Times newspaper.

In observance of Stress Awareness Month, Linda Hynes shares insights with the Irish Examiner on fostering employee wellbeing as a top business priority

Paul Gillen discusses why employment rights in Northern Ireland need to catch up with the rest of the UK.

Síobhra joins Matt Cooper to outline the key considerations around the new law, for both employers and employees.

The government's announcement means there are now penalties for those who do not follow very specific and detailed rules. Síobhra Rush explains why the law will make a bigger difference to employees at medium-sized and smaller firms.

Official new code of practice sets out a right to request remote working but there is no guarantee it will be granted.

Lewis Silkin has today announced the launch of its newly enhanced parental leave policy.

Following the ruling of an Irish company that makes jeans to stop using the Diesel trade mark, this article explores the basics of the law and gives important advice from trade mark attorney, Liam Egan, for Irish businesses to be aware of.

Catherine joined Matt Cooper on The Last Word to discuss the potential challenges workplace romances can pose for employers, the importance of implementing clear policies and procedures, including guidelines for disclosing relationships and managing conflicts of interest, and how to effectively manage and mitigate the risks associated with workplaces relationships.

Irish employers are increasingly using surveillance software and AI to check productivity of staff at work at home, but does this lead to data protection issues for employers?

The article discusses the new rules for non-EU worker permits and includes comments from Declan Groarke on Ireland's new General Employment Permit (GEP) and related work permit changes.

Changes to employment rights in Ireland 2024 include the national minimum wage, gender pay gap reporting, the right to request remote and flexible working, the national pension auto-enrolment scheme and parent’s leave.

While major employers are now actively recruiting people with neurodivergent backgrounds, the number of industrial tribunal cases involving neurodiverse employees has quadrupled in the last four years. Paul Gillen comments for the Belfast Telegraph.

Linda Hynes looks at the recent guidance issued by the DPC on managing subject access requests and considers the key takeaways for employers when dealing with such requests.

The scale of AI change means that we cannot look at the past to predict the future. Niamh Crotty and Síobhra Rush discuss what shifts are predicted in the workforce by 2050.

Síobhra Rush comments on the EU’s new Pay Transparency Directive and why now’s the time for employers to get their ducks in a row.

The EU published its Revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive at the end of 2022. In this article, Rory Campbell and Conal Scullion report on the proposed EU laws fighting back against waste packaging and what they mean for Irish retail businesses.

Head of our Belfast office Ciara Fulton was interviewed yesterday by John Pienaar for Times Radio's Drive show, in relation to the recent Supreme Court ruling in PSNI v Agnew ruling that claims for underpayments of holiday pay can potentially stretch back many years.

Lewis Silkin Northern Ireland has generated around 30 new jobs since being established two years ago, bringing the size of the firm’s Belfast team to 48.

We are proud to announce our new charity partnership with the Sutton Trust, an organisation dedicated to fighting for social mobility.

Ireland-based tech firms are increasingly using ‘employer of record’ (EOR) companies in other countries to hire staff abroad, rather than moving them here due to the struggle of sourcing housing.

Síobhra Rush and Sinead Likely of Lewis Silkin explore the legal and practical issues around employing people with neurodivergent conditions and how employers in the retail sector can develop a more neurodiverse workforce.

EU rules are set to rinse away Greenwashing by heavily scrutinising the words used in advertising and marketing to ensure companies back up their claims with data and scientific evidence if they claim to be ‘carbon neutral’ or ‘greener’.

Linda Hynes and Declan Groarke were guests on The HR Room Podcast series by Insight HR. In this episode, Linda and Declan discussed the Employment Permits Bill 2022, exploring what impact it has for employers and the immigration and permits system in Ireland.

If a new product incorporates stand-out design features and has enduring sales potential, then protection through registration will always be advisable.

As fears of Covid-19 subside and worries around the rising cost-of-living take over, many older people are returning to the workforce, a movement known as the 'Great Unretirement'.

Linda Hynes and Sinead Likely of Lewis Silkin report on the key implications of new Regulations on Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions that employers in the retail sector need to know.

For those hoping for a slightly quieter year in the world of data protection, the new year has already gone off with a bang and regulators are now turning their line of fire to personalised advertising.

Giles Crown to step down as JMP at the end of March.

Síobhra Rush and Linda Hynes highlight the key employment trends that SME business owners need to know about in the year ahead.

Jennifer Zamparelli chats to Linda Hynes, Employment Partner of Lewis Silkin Ireland about how to keep you and your boss out of trouble at festive work celebrations.

2022 was a momentous year for employment law in Ireland. Síobhra Rush and Linda Hynes round up the key developments.

When hosting a staff party, employers need to remember they have a duty of care for everyone’s wellbeing and that all present should be advised that they’re still legally ‘at work’ while attending a ‘work event’, advises a leading employment lawyer.

In Ireland, a new law aimed at giving employees the right to request remote work is to be included in the work life balance bill which is expected to be delivered by the end of the year.

It may be the new normal, but most companies are still trying to figure out what hybrid working means for them - and their workforce.

A new law coming into force in January will have a notable impact on employers. It concerns a protected disclosure from employees who are usually known as whistleblowers and it means that if staff see wrongdoing, they can report it and not be fired.

Employers risk losing experienced female members of staff if they fail to offer support during menopause.

Síobhra Rush has shed some light for RTÉ Ireland on what employers need to do in order to attract and retain their staff.

Linda Hynes has provided insight on the data issues that may occur when companies use technology to track productivity when working from home.

Employers can omit workers who do not identify as male or female when calculating their gender pay gap.

Niamh Crotty and Linda Hynes have written an article for the independent.ie on the new sick leave legislation that has recently been passed by the Oireachtas in Ireland.

As the pandemic eases, it is clear that hybrid and remote overseas working is here to stay for a lot of working practices.

Lewis Silkin is pleased to announce that 19 lawyers across our employment and immigration team are listed in this year’s edition of Who’s Who Legal 2022.

Linda Hynes shares her insights on how SME’s can build progressive workplaces in Ireland. Employees are more vocal than they have ever been about what they expect their employer to do to support them. They expect their workplace to be environmentally sustainable, diverse, inclusive, and accommodating.

The Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021, signed last July, sets out the legislative basis for Gender Pay Gap (GPG) reporting in Ireland – and employers who are required to report are expected to pick a “snapshot” date in June, on which they must collect the data, and then report on it within a six-month period.

The Work-Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill was brought to the Ireland Cabinet on 20 April 2022. The new bill aims to give effect to an EU Work-Life Balance Directive.

Linda Hynes speaks to RTE Radio 1 about her views on the end of the legal requirements to wear a face covering.

As efforts across our industries intensify to meet the climate crisis challenge head-on, so too does the accusation of ‘Greenwashing’.

‘Belfast’s reputation on the global stage as a hotbed for talent and opportunity is growing by the day. This prominence as a source of skill makes the city a natural fit for Lewis Silkin, a leading law firm that has two things at its core: people – both its clients and its own team – and a focus on creativity, technology and innovation’

Ryanair’s gender pay gap has widened despite a surge in applications by women for pilot jobs.

BELFAST AND LONDON – Lewis Silkin today announces that it has added to its growing offering in Northern Ireland by joining forces with local specialist commercial, technology, intellectual property and media law firm Forde Campbell.

Siobhra Rush discusses the legal challenges faced by employers as a result of the gender pay gap and the right to switch off from work.

Síobhra Rush outlines developments SME owners need to bear in mind for 2022 with new rules and laws on the way in the areas of whistleblowing, the right to work remotely, and paid leave in the event of a miscarriage.

Work permit staff in overtime drive to reduce delays

Employers need to be more proactive around menopause in the workplace, especially as it impacts some of their most experienced colleagues.

As Ireland loosens its pandemic restrictions, employers are adjusting to a partial return to the office and some changes in health and safety guidance.

We're seeing more 'eco-friendly’ and ‘all natural' products on our shelves, as consumers demand more sustainable choices. But as companies come under increased pressure to meet their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, how can we tell if some are twisting the truth?

Lewis Silkin’s performance in the sector continues to improve following a strong performance in Legal 500, earning 69 individual and practice rankings – of which 6 are top tier practice rankings and 5 are new entries or improvements.

What are the implications if companies fail to address the issue of menopause?

Lewis Silkin continues to receive strong recognition in the latest Legal 500 UK guide released yesterday, earning 67 individual lawyer and practice rankings – of which 7 are top tier practice rankings, 3 were new entries and 7 were improvements on last year.

The Government wants to see remote working become a permanent fixture of Irish working life, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar has said.

Lewis Silkin LLP and specialist Belfast-based employment law firm Jones Cassidy Brett (JCB) have joined forces to establish a new employment law offering in Northern Ireland, providing clients with seamless access to best-in-class employment law advice and wider complementary workplace, people and HR services across the UK and Ireland.

Catherine Hayes and Sharon Behan from La Leche League of Ireland joined Newstalk's The Hard Shoulder to discuss mandatory paid breastfeeding breaks at work.

Whether they already provide paid sick leave or not, all employers should review their employment contracts, policies and procedures to ensure they comply with new law.

Three areas of employment law in Ireland have seen recent significant developments: employment status and the gig economy; collective bargaining arrangements; and gender pay gap reporting.

Linda Hynes comments in an article for Industrial Relations News on remote working following a speech by Irish Tanaiste, Leo Varadkar.

Linda Hynes discusses employee monitoring while working from home with Jess Kelly on Newstalk