Employment Law
Employment law has undergone rapid change as businesses and work patterns continue to evolve. Our highly experienced team of employment law experts advises at the cutting edge of these changes.
We provide strategic advice to Irish and multinational companies in diverse sectors including education, retail, state bodies and other public sector organisations, credit unions, airlines and insurance.
We understand the dynamics of the employer-employee relationship and the demands it places on you and your business in a fast paced environment. The Hayes employment law team has the experience to provide practical commerical advice to both employers and employees on all types of contentious and non-contentious employment issues and situations. We guide our clients through the maze of employment legislation and regulation and provide support through pragmatic and flexible solutions.
Hayes has recognised expertise in many of the key specialist legal and regulatory areas that help shape employment law. These include Transfer Regulations (TUPE), outsourcing and restructuring, equality, health and safety, pensions, administrative and regulatory law, and industrial relations.
We have significant expertise and experience in administrative law and regulatory matters for the professions, and continue to develop our reputation in the area. Our international work includes advising on the differences between Ireland and the UK in employment and industrial relations and advice to US and European multinationals and their executives on Irish employment law issues.
Speed of response and accessibility are hallmarks of our service. We provide ongoing advices for daily queries, strategic advices on medium and long-term goals, best practice on procedures and representation in litigation.
Services
Our services cover:
- Agency workers
- Alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration and mediation
- Contracts, updating employment contracts, staff handbooks and employment permits
- Data protection, the obligations, responses to requests, and drafting policies
- Complaints, advising employers on bullying, harassment and work-related stress complaints
- Equality compliance from interviews to employment, and including litigation
- Fixed-term workers, drafting contracts, advising on renewals, obligations and disputes
- Freedom of information, advising on obligations and procedures
- Health and Safety, advising on all aspects, risk assessments, prosecutions and investigations
- Industrial relations, advising on strategies for change, negotiations and industrial action
- Information and consultation, EROs, REAs and Joint Labour Committees
- Investigations, advising on their conduct and fair procedures for positive outcome
- Leave, advising on maternity, adoptive, parental, carers, force-majeure and career breaks
- Outsourcing, advising on contractual implications for staff, fixed-term, agency, part-time and temporary workers
- Performance, advising on performance, managing absence, misconduct and professional difficulties towards preferred outcome
- Procedures, drafting and updating policies and procedures for workplace complaints including disciplinary, grievance, bullying and harassment, sexual harassment, internet and social media
- Record keeping, advising on Garda vetting and references
- Restructuring and Redundancy, advising on all aspects including claims
- Retirement, advising on issues in relation to age, pension, redundancy schemes
- Whistleblowing, drafting policies, advising on criminal prosecutions, claims and investigations.
Experience
Our employment law team is highly active in providing on-the-spot advice, case handling, dispute resolution and employment policy services to employers and employees across a wide range of sectors. Some examples of our work include:
- Advising on employment issues on the sale or transfer of a business. Advices in relation to Transfer Regulations including cross-border transfers
- Advising foreign companies establishing in Ireland or with an existing presence in relation to Irish HR issues
- Advising a large multinational in relation to removal of CEO/Director/Shareholder and other senior management team members
- Advising on company re-structuring and associated issues
- Representing parties in Court in relation to complex bullying and harassment/equality cases
- Representing senior management and employees in relation to exiting employment including attending mediation where appropriate.
What clients say: Employment Law
'She brings a common sense and well-informed approach to her work, coupled with a broad knowledge of the most up-to-date case law, precedents and current trends.'
'Breda is one of the best in her field.'
'Breda is absolutely fantastic. She is exceptionally good at what she does.'
'Breda is the best in the Irish market in terms of her ability and reputation, she is superb in handling a wide range of complicated employment matters.'
'The team at Hayes Solicitors is helpful, knowledgeable and works very quickly to an extremely high standard.'
'Hayes Solicitors offers a highly specialised range of services tailored to meet the nuanced needs of its clients. It stands out for its innovative, tailored client service and thought leadership.'
'Hayes Solicitors offers a highly specialised range of services tailored to meet the nuanced needs of its clients. It stands out for its innovative, tailored client service and thought leadership.'
'The team brings a holistic approach to addressing legal issues within the context of our firm, industry and specific needs.'
'The team's strength is its expertise, commercial understanding, speed, responsiveness and all-round service.'
'Hayes are amazing. I have worked with a large number of legal firms over the years and none of them compare to Hayes. Hayes are prompt, responsive, understanding, they always give great advice, they are good value for money, they make you feel like you are the only person they are supporting, they are highly knowledgeable and they understand the commercial reality of a business.'
'They possess an empathetic and client-centred approach, understanding that complex issues often require sensitivity and patience. They are passionate advocates for their clients, providing unwavering support and guiding them through challenging situations. Their ability to navigate complex situations with integrity and clarity leaves a lasting impression.’
‘Good attention to detail whilst not losing sight of the overall objective; using relatively cost-effective ways of achieving the objective and ensuring the case does not go off track.’
‘I found these guys to be very professional and empathetic. I was absolutely delighted with the service I received from them.’
‘An ability to develop trusting, grounded relationships. Breda O'Malley has been exceptional.’
‘Breda O’Malley's deep knowledge, professionalism, and personable approach have been truly impressive. Furthermore, their dedication to being results-driven has consistently led to outstanding outcomes.'
'Catherine Jane O’Rourke's extensive knowledge, professionalism, and approachable demeanour have made our interactions both pleasant and productive.’
'Breda O’Malley's deep knowledge, professionalism, and personable approach have been truly impressive. Furthermore, their dedication to being results-driven has consistently led to outstanding outcomes. Catherine Jane O’Rourke's extensive knowledge, professionalism, and approachable demeanour have made our interactions both pleasant and productive'
‘Breda O’Malley is always personable and solution focused. She prepares a direction that is measured, calculated and in the best interests of the company but also respectful of all parties. Niamh Cassidy is proactive, efficient, thoughtful and again comes with a very pragmatic approach to business challenges that can be resolved in a cautious and caring manner.'
‘I specifically was dealing with Breda O’Malley. She was very knowledgeable and supportive. I felt she was absolutely on my side and I could trust her and her team.'