People working in Ireland have certain rights under employment law such as a minimum wage and annual leave. If you are not getting your rights or entitlements or if you lose your job and consider your dismissal was unfair, there are various organisations which can assist you to enforce your rights. Organisations involved in employment rights enforcement include the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), the Employment Appeals Tribunal, the Labour Relations Commission, the Rights Commissioner Service and the Equality Tribunal and the Labour Court.
Where you make a complaint to enforce one of your employment rights depends on the employment law it comes under. For example, your annual leave entitlement is set out under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
Some employment legislation prohibits employers from victimising or penalising employees who try to enforce or are enforcing their rights given by the legislation. Victimisation could mean less favourable treatment or dismissal.
If you have a complaint about entitlements such as annual leave, public holidays, hours of work, maternity leave, carer’s leave, adoptive leave, parental leave, you should apply to the Rights Commissioner Service.
If you are claiming unfair dismissal you should apply to the Rights Commissioner Service if you and your employer agree. If either of you objects to a Rights Commissioner hearing you should apply to the Employment Appeals Tribunal.
If there is a dispute about redundancy or if you do not get your minimum notice entitlement you may bring a claim to the Employment Appeals Tribunal
If you have a complaint about discrimination in employment you should apply to the Equality Tribunal on form EE.1
If you need information about employment law and your employment rights you should contact the NERA Information Service.
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie/
Friday, March 5, 2010
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance?
The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme encourages people getting certain social welfare payments to become self-employed. People taking part in the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme can keep a percentage of their social welfare payment for up to 2 years.
From 1 May 2009, the qualifying period required for BTWEA is reduced from 2 years to 12 months provided you have an underlying entitlement to Jobseekers Allowance. A new Back to Work Allowance Scheme called the Short-term Enterprise Allowance started in May 2009.
You can avail of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance if you are:
Setting up as self-employed in a business that has been approved in advance in writing by a Job Facilitator or Partnership Company
And
Getting a Jobseeker's Allowance for 12 months
Or
Unemployed for 2 years and getting Jobseeker's Benefit. However, if you have an underlying entitlement to Jobseeker's Allowance and are unemployed for one year you can qualify for the allowance. If you don't have an underlying entitlement to Jobseeker's Allowance, you must have a combination of qualifying social welfare payments for 2 years. Signing on for unemployment credits following your Jobseeker's Benefit will not count towards the qualifying period. Contact your local Social welfare office for details.
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie
From 1 May 2009, the qualifying period required for BTWEA is reduced from 2 years to 12 months provided you have an underlying entitlement to Jobseekers Allowance. A new Back to Work Allowance Scheme called the Short-term Enterprise Allowance started in May 2009.
You can avail of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance if you are:
Setting up as self-employed in a business that has been approved in advance in writing by a Job Facilitator or Partnership Company
And
Getting a Jobseeker's Allowance for 12 months
Or
Unemployed for 2 years and getting Jobseeker's Benefit. However, if you have an underlying entitlement to Jobseeker's Allowance and are unemployed for one year you can qualify for the allowance. If you don't have an underlying entitlement to Jobseeker's Allowance, you must have a combination of qualifying social welfare payments for 2 years. Signing on for unemployment credits following your Jobseeker's Benefit will not count towards the qualifying period. Contact your local Social welfare office for details.
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
New Mandatory Pension
News Scource-RTE.IE: The Government is to introduce a new mandatory or 'auto-enrolment' pension scheme in four years' time as part of a major restructuring of pension provision in the State. Under the New National Pensions Framework, the state pension will remain the basis of the pension system in Ireland - with the Government undertaking to preserve its value at 35% of average earnings.
However, in future, workers aged over 22 earning above a certain income threshold will automatically be enrolled in a new supplementary pension scheme to provide additional retirement income. This will happen unless they are already in their employers' scheme which provides higher contribution levels or is a defined benefit scheme. Employees would contribute 4%, with the Government and the employer providing matching contributions of 2% each - making a total contribution of 8%. Workers may opt out of the supplementary scheme - but it remains mandatory for employers. You can Download the full Framework Document Here
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie
However, in future, workers aged over 22 earning above a certain income threshold will automatically be enrolled in a new supplementary pension scheme to provide additional retirement income. This will happen unless they are already in their employers' scheme which provides higher contribution levels or is a defined benefit scheme. Employees would contribute 4%, with the Government and the employer providing matching contributions of 2% each - making a total contribution of 8%. Workers may opt out of the supplementary scheme - but it remains mandatory for employers. You can Download the full Framework Document Here
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Payroll Training Level 2
Our Next Level 2 Training Date is penciled in for Dublin, Gresham Hotel on March 31st, for all those on our waiting list for this course, please go to our website to register. There are only 8 places available so please book ASAP. Click Here for further details.
Live for Less Card
Are you in receipt of Social Welfare, Why not take advantage of the Live for less card and save, save, save! The Live4Less discount card is the first and only one of its kind in Ireland. It currently offers exclusive discounts and special offers to card holders in over 60 locations and is adding new offers every day.
The Live4Less card has been developed solely for people on the Live Register and those receiving a Social Welfare payments. The card costs only €10.
Visit their website @ http://www.live4less.ie
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie
The Live4Less card has been developed solely for people on the Live Register and those receiving a Social Welfare payments. The card costs only €10.
Visit their website @ http://www.live4less.ie
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie
Social Welfare Appeals
Have you lost your Social Welfare entitlements? Were you refused payments based on a means test?
You should visit the Social Welfare Appeals website @ www.socialwelfareappeals.ie. Here you will find details of how the appeals process works. The site also lists case studies in the following areas Unemployment, Sickness, Pensions, Family, Social Insurance, Supplementary Welfare Allowance etc. You should read all case studies that may apply to your own situation, these case studies do give you a better understanding of how and why Social Welfare payments may be refused. All appeals must be made with 21 days.
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie/
You should visit the Social Welfare Appeals website @ www.socialwelfareappeals.ie. Here you will find details of how the appeals process works. The site also lists case studies in the following areas Unemployment, Sickness, Pensions, Family, Social Insurance, Supplementary Welfare Allowance etc. You should read all case studies that may apply to your own situation, these case studies do give you a better understanding of how and why Social Welfare payments may be refused. All appeals must be made with 21 days.
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie/
Minimum Wage Exemption
If an employer cannot afford to pay the national minimum wage due to financial difficulty the Labour Court may exempt an employer from paying the minimum wage rate for between 3 months and 1 year. Only 1 such exemption can be allowed. The employer must apply to the Labour Court for the exemption with the consent of a majority of the employees, who must also agree to be bound by the Labour Court decision.
The employer must demonstrate that he/she is unable to pay the national minimum wage and that, if compelled to do so, would have to lay-off employees or terminate their employment.
For full details on the Minimum wage, you can download the Minimum Wage Act by clicking Here
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie/
The employer must demonstrate that he/she is unable to pay the national minimum wage and that, if compelled to do so, would have to lay-off employees or terminate their employment.
For full details on the Minimum wage, you can download the Minimum Wage Act by clicking Here
If you have any comments or queries please use the comments or email link below or visit our website @ http://www.cops.ie/
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