HR Support
We support HR queries at all levels—providing expert advice and serving as a reliable sounding board for resolving HR issues.
Alternatively, we offer a comprehensive outsourced HR solution to manage all your HR needs.
Annual Leave & Public Holidays
Under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, all employees in Ireland are entitled to paid annual leave, with a minimum of four weeks per year, depending on hours worked. Additional leave may be granted at an employer’s discretion.
There are currently 10 public holidays in Ireland each year, and employees may receive a paid day off, an extra day’s pay, or an alternative day off, depending on their working arrangements.
At SimplifyHR, we assist businesses in managing these entitlements correctly, ensuring fair application of the law while maintaining workforce efficiency. Having a clear policy in place helps to avoid misunderstandings and ensures a smooth process for both employers and employees.
Maternity Leave
Employees (including casual workers) who become pregnant are entitled to Maternity Leave, regardless of how long they have been working for the organisation or the number of hours worked per week.
At SimplifyHR we recognise that there’s a lot of work to be done to make the maternity leave process as smooth as possible – for your employee, yourself and the rest of your business.
With an effective process in place, you can limit the impact of an employee going on maternity leave and become a valuable source of support for them in this eventful time.
Paternity Leave
Fathers are entitled to paternity leave. New parents (other than the mother of the child) can take two weeks off as part of statutory paternity leave. This can be from employment or self-employment and applies to either the birth of a child or the adoption of one.
Parents Leave and Parental Leave
The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 amended by the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021 provides nine weeks statutory leave for a relevant parent within the first two years of a child’s life, or in the case of adoption, within two years of the placement of the child with the family. Parent’s leave is available to each parent.
The Parental Leave Act, 1998 (as amended by the Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2006 and the Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 entitles each parent up to 26 weeks of unpaid parental leave. The leave must be taken before the child is 12 years of age, or 16 years of age in the case of children with disabilities or a long-term illness.
Adoptive Leave
Under the Adoptive Leave Acts, 1995 – 2005, one parent of an adopting couple or where there is a sole adopting parent, that parent is entitled to certain time off when adopting a child.
A couple that jointly adopts a child must choose which one takes the adoptive leave and that is known as the nominated parent.
Carers Leave
The Carer’s Leave Act 2001, provides for the entitlement of an employee to avail of unpaid leave from his/her employment to enable him/her to personally provide full-time care and attention to a person who needs such care.
The minimum statutory entitlement is 13 weeks, and the maximum is 104 weeks in respect of any one care recipient.
Leave for Medical Care
An employee is entitled to take up to five days' unpaid leave per year, where for serious medical reasons the employee needs to provide personal care or support to a family member or person who lives in their household.
Force Majeure Leave
Under the Parental Leave Acts 1998–2023, employees in Ireland are entitled to Force Majeure Leave in cases where their immediate presence is urgently required due to the illness, injury, or serious health condition of a close family member. Employees can take up to three days of paid leave in any 12-month period, or five days in a 36-month period.
Compassionate Leave
If a close family member of an employee dies, they may be able to take compassionate leave. This depends on their employment contract and company policy.
Career Break or Study Leave
Employees do not have an automatic right to take unpaid leave for a career break or study leave. At SimplifyHR we can help you compile a policy or contract addendum to cover either leave, if you wish.
As an employer, you should consider any request for a career break or study leave on an individual, case-by-case basis.
Jury Duty
If an employee is called for jury service, generally they must attend. They should get paid as usual when called for jury service.
It should not affect any other employment rights. For example, any time spent on jury service does not affect annual leave.
Domestic Violence Leave
Under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, employees in Ireland who have been affected by domestic violence are entitled to five days of paid leave within a 12-month period. This leave allows individuals to seek medical attention, access support services, relocate for safety, or take any necessary steps to protect themselves or a dependent.
At SimplifyHR, we understand the importance of handling Domestic Violence Leave with sensitivity, discretion, and compliance. We can help you put the right policies in place, ensuring that your employees receive the support they need while maintaining confidentiality and legal compliance.