First published on Thursday, Jun 06, 2024
Last updated on Thursday, Jun 06, 2024
Welcome to HR Heartbeat, where we give you a rundown of the week's top employment law stories. Stay on the pulse of current trends impacting your business, plus get up-to-the-minute commentaries on all things HR and legal.
Trade union says apprentices are being treated like cheap labour
According to the Connect trade union, the role of apprentices is frequently abused by employers.
They suggest apprentices are being made to work for below the minimum wage which is forcing them out of their trade altogether. And with the higher cost of living, there’s more pressure on young people to find jobs that will accommodate for increased costs.
But Connect argues employers are flouting the rules around apprentice pay and delaying college-based training for their own benefit. They stress the importance of looking after apprentices as the future of trade and the backbone of the economic and social wellbeing of Ireland.
To reduce the delays to training, the Government has allocated €67 million for apprenticeships through Budget 2024 bringing total funding to €300 million.
For fast advice on this topic, ask our instant advice tool Bright BrAInbox: What do I do if my apprentice doesn't pass their training course?
Women need to work 8 years more than men to get the same pension
The 2024 Gender Pension Gap Report from Irish Life finds there’s a 36% gender pension gap between men and women.
This gap means women have to work 8 whole years more to retire on the same amount as men.
The main reasons for this are that women are paid 22% less than men and are more likely to take time away from the workplace.
Equal pay for equal work provisions apply to all employers no matter your company size. That’s why it’s important for every employer to play their part in closing the pension gender gap.
Some effective ways to support this include reviewing pay structure, workplace benefits and policies to make sure they’re inclusive and fair.
For more instant support, ask BrAInbox: What do I need to do to report my company gender pay gap?
45% of neurodiverse employees feel their workplace is not inclusive enough
A recent study by the Bank of Ireland and Red C has found a high percentage of neurodivergent employees feel more could be done to make their workplace inclusive.
But, what are your responsibilities as an employer of neurodiverse people? Well, firstly it’s critical to make sure neurodiverse employees aren’t bullied, harassed, or discriminated against in your workplace.
Keeping your team, and especially managers and supervisors, informed and educated on neurodiversity is key to creating a high-functioning and fair workplace and protecting your business from unaddressed discrimination that can result in costly tribunal claims.
Our learning management system, BrightLearn has courses and resources on this topic to upskill your staff and help you make sure you’re following guidelines under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2021.
And that’s a wrap. Tune in next week for more headlines and make sure you stay ahead of major employment law changes!
