Employment Matters

17/06/2026

On Tuesday 30 June 2026, we will be hosting a webinar for employers:

From Workplace Issue to High Court Litigation: Practical Lessons for Employers

We will discuss practical lessons arising from recent High Court litigation and the steps organisations can take to strengthen their workplace processes and reduce risk.

We will cover:

• Employee email and data issues
• Grievance and disciplinary procedures
• Workplace investigations
• Decision-making and governance
• Practical steps employers can take to reduce risk

Date: Tuesday 30 June 2026
Time: 1:00pm–2:00pm
Location: Online via Zoom

Register here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pfVbk7pRT5O6K506WJG0SA

15/06/2026

What turns an internal workplace issue into a legal issue?

Most workplace issues begin as management issues.

A grievance.
An employee absence.
A performance concern.
A disagreement between colleagues.

Most are resolved without ever becoming legal disputes.

So what makes the difference?

Often, it is not the issue itself.

It is the process surrounding it.

Are roles and responsibilities clear?
Is there an appropriate procedure?
Are decisions documented?
Can the organisation explain how and why decisions were made?
Were policies applied consistently?

Recent employment litigation serves as a useful reminder that workplace disputes are often about more than a single event.

The process behind the decision can be just as important as the decision itself.

12/06/2026

Quick question for employers:

An employee resigns today.

Can you access their work emails?

A) Yes — all of them
B) Yes — some of them
C) No
D) It depends

Most people have an immediate answer.

But the more important question is:

**Does your organisation have a clear policy that supports that answer?**

In many workplace disputes, the issue is not always the decision itself.

It is whether there was:

• A clear process
• Appropriate authority
• A relevant workplace policy
• Proper documentation
• Accountability for the decision made

Accessing work emails may seem like a practical business issue, especially where customers, orders or ongoing matters are involved.

However, without a clear framework, practical decisions can quickly become legal risks.

Interested to hear your views below.

Employee email access: yes, no, or it depends?

10/06/2026

A manager leaves unexpectedly.

Customers are emailing.
Orders are waiting.
The business still needs to operate.

Situations like this arise in organisations every day.

Good employers often need to make practical decisions quickly to keep things moving.

But the issue is not always whether a decision should be made.

The real question is whether there is a clear framework governing how those decisions are made.

Who has authority?
What policies apply?
How should decisions be documented?
How is accountability maintained?

Recent employment litigation serves as a useful reminder that workplace disputes are often less about a single decision and more about the process surrounding it.

Strong governance, clear policies and well-documented decision-making place employers in the strongest position when workplace issues arise.

Could your organisation confidently demonstrate the process it would follow?

09/06/2026

⚖️ €60,000 awarded after employer failed to explain redundancy.

A recent WRC decision highlights a key lesson for employers:

Even where a redundancy is genuine, fair procedures still matter.

The WRC found:
• No clear reason was given
• No appeal process was offered
• Poor communication made it harder for the employee to find new work

Redundancy is not just about business need — it's about process.

Read more here: https://www.ormondesolicitors.ie/e60000-awarded-after-employer-failed-to-explain-redundancy/

08/06/2026

An employee goes on sick leave tomorrow.

The phone rings.
A customer needs an answer.
There is an urgent order sitting in their inbox.

Can somebody access their work emails?

Most employers answer that question quite quickly.

“Of course.”
“The business still has to operate.”

And in many cases, they may be right.

But the more important question is this:

Is there a clear process for making that decision?

Who can authorise access?
When is it appropriate?
How is the decision documented?
How are employees informed?
What does the policy say?

Situations like this arise in organisations every day. Not because anybody is trying to do the wrong thing, but because businesses need to keep moving.

Recent High Court litigation serves as a useful reminder that when workplace decisions are examined later, the focus is often not just on the decision itself, but on the process behind it.

The employers best placed to deal with these situations are usually those with clear procedures, good governance and confidence in the decisions they make.

04/06/2026

Over the last two weeks, we have achieved €299,000 in client outcomes.

Employment disputes are rarely just about money.

They are about dignity, confidence, accountability, reputation, and finding a way forward.

For employees, workplace disputes can have a serious personal and financial impact.

For employers, getting workplace issues wrong can create significant risk, cost, disruption and reputational damage.

These recent outcomes are a reminder of how important it is to get workplace issues right from the beginning — and to seek clear advice when difficulties arise.

Whether we are supporting employees seeking accountability, or employers seeking to manage risk and protect their business, our focus remains the same:

Helping clients navigate difficult workplace situations and achieve the best possible outcome.

We are proud to have played a part in these results.

Need advice on an employment law issue?
Get in touch with our team today.

03/06/2026

Probation is not a free pass.

For many Irish employers, probation can feel like a safety net — but dismissing a new employee still needs care, structure and documentation.

While ordinary unfair dismissal claims usually require 12 months’ service in Ireland, employers can still face risk where an early-stage dismissal involves issues such as discrimination, pregnancy, protected disclosures, contractual rights or poor process.

Our latest article looks at what Irish employers should know before dismissing an employee during probation, including:

✔ Why the 12-month rule does not mean “no risk”
✔ Common mistakes employers make during probation
✔ Why documentation matters from day one
✔ Practical steps to reduce dismissal exposure

Read the full article here: https://www.ormondesolicitors.ie/probation-periods-in-ireland-what-employers-need-to-know-before-dismissing-a-new-employee/

02/06/2026

Most workplace disputes do not begin as legal disputes.

They often begin with ordinary workplace issues — a grievance, an absence, a difficult management decision, an investigation, or questions around employee information.

Even well-run organisations can face difficult employment disputes. The employers best placed to navigate them are usually those with clear procedures, good governance, proper documentation and timely advice.

We are hosting an employer webinar:

From Workplace Issue to High Court Litigation: Practical Lessons for Employers

This practical session will focus on governance, decision-making, workplace investigations and employment disputes, using recent High Court litigation as a starting point for lessons employers can take into their own organisations.

📅 Tuesday 30 June 2026
🕐 1:00pm–2:00pm
💻 Online via Zoom

Further details to follow.

27/05/2026

Did you know our firm, Ormonde Solicitors, has been named Labour & Employment Law Practice of the Year 2026?

Employment Matters is part of Ormonde Solicitors, and we are proud to share that the firm has received the Business All-Star Labour & Employment Law Practice of the Year 2026 accreditation from the All-Ireland Business Foundation.

This recognition highlights the work carried out across our employment law team, supporting both employers and employees with clear, practical advice on workplace disputes, employment rights, contracts and compliance matters.

It also marks our second consecutive year of Business All-Star recognition, reflecting the trust our clients place in us and the dedication of our team.

Read the full article here:

Ormonde Solicitors has been named Business All-Star Labour & Employment Law Practice of the Year 2026 accreditation by the All-Ireland Business Foundation (AIBF)