The Labour Party has put forward a new bill - the Organisation of Working Time (Leave for Health Screening Purposes) Bill 2025 – which would provide leave entitlements for employees to attend health screenings.
Read on to learn more about what this might mean for Irish employers.
What is the Organisation of Working Time (Leave for Health Screening Purposes) Bill 2025?
If enacted, the Organisation of Working Time (Leave for Health Screening Purposes) Bill 2025 would grant a statutory entitlement for employees of up to three days of paid leave per year to attend health screening appointments.
The most important takeaway for business owners is that this Bill would prohibit employers from penalising their employees for taking this screening appointment leave.
The Bill also sets out requirements for notifying one’s employer of a screening appointment and includes strict confidentiality protections. Employers would face penalties for any breaches of those protections.
The Bill is currently in the second stage of development, meaning that its general principles are being discussed in the Dáil. There are several steps to be completed before a bill is enacted, but it is important for employers to be aware of any employment legislation which may come into effect in the future.
Would the new Bill cover all health screenings?
The primary focus of this new leave entitlement is the cancer screening programmes provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE), such as cervical, breast, or colon cancer screenings.
It would also apply to any other screenings recommended to the employee by a registered doctor.
What impact would this Bill have on Irish employers?
It is crucial that employers are prepared for any changes, or upcoming changes, to employment legislation in this regard. Changes to employee leave entitlements will require the employer to make changes to their employee contracts, employee handbook, and any other relevant HR documentation.
Additionally, any change to leave entitlements will require employers to adjust their payroll protocols, and the manner in which absences are recorded and categorised.
