Latest MPA 2018 News
How businesses can use casual contracts after MPA 2018
Can you hire staff on casual contracts since the arrival of the Act? If you only need a worker for a few hours each week or month, remember there’s a ban on zero hour contracts.
But there are exceptions. Your business can have a casual contract if it allows you to cover emergencies or short-term relief (for the likes of absences).
In those situations, it’s not possible to accurately say the amount of hours a staff member will work. So it does allow your business to hire casual employees. Just be sure not to confuse that with a part-time contract.
Minister for employment affairs and social protection launches campaign supporting MPA 2018
The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection—Regina Doherty—revealed on 22nd February 2019 more details about the groundbreaking Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018.
The legislation reforms come into effect from 4th March 2019.
To support it, there’ll be an information campaign launched in the final week of February that aims to make sure all workers understand their new rights.
The department’s plan began on 24th February and consists of print, radio, digital, and social media marketing campaigns.
Employee complaints to the Workplace Relations Commission
Employers should be aware that, after the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018 comes into effect, an employee has the legal right to make a complaint.
If they feel a business is in breach of the new employment legislation, then they can contact the Work Relations Commission.
An example of a breach is if a business rejects or ignores a staff member’s request for a banded contract.
They must present the complaint within six months of any alleged breach taking place.
38% of employers don’t know about landmark new employment law
Peninsula Ireland carried out a survey that shows some 38% of Irish businesses don’t know about the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018.
This is a landmark employment law change that’s essential for businesses—it starts from 4th March 2019.
The government has introduced the Act to provide some employees with greater rights.
There are four core parts to the new legislation:
- Developing a statement of core terms.
- Reviewing employment documentation.
- Reviewing current types of employment.
- Estimating minimum payments and banded hours.
Dunnes workers take advantage of MPA 2018
Since the arrival of the new act, up to 1,000 Dunnes stores employees have submitted banded hours requests.
They did this in the first week of the new legislation coming into effect. The workforce played a bit part in ensuring the Act passed and held demonstrations to ensure it came about.
The hours would accurately reflect what they work over a 12-month reference period. The business has four weeks in which to respond.