Seminar to focus on employment legislation

LIMERICK Chamber of Commerce has organised a day long seminar to help companies keep up to speed with employment legislation.

It will be held at the South Court Hotel, on June 16 from 11am.

Chief Executive Maria Kelly said: “Feedback from our members strongly indicates that businesses, especially smaller ones, struggle to understand and keep abreast of changes in employment legislation. Yet they are responsible for compliance and implementation.”

She said poor HR practice is not a defence in court. Ms Kelly said: “Chamber HR seeks to protect those who endeavour to comply with the Law but lack the expertise to do so.”

Recently the Labour Court awarded €15,000 to a Congolese temporary call centre employee who was dismissed after he made a 24 minute long distance phone call while at work.

In another case, the Employment Appeals Tribunal awarded €3,000 to a bar worker for unfair dismissal having been sacked for allegedly selling cannabis to colleagues while at work.

Ms Kelly said: “A potential fair dismissal can become an actual unfair dismissal if good procedures are not scrupulously followed. When it comes to employment law, ignorance is no defence.”

Peninsula Business Services, the largest employment law consultancy in Ireland and the UK will be represented at the seminar.

More details can be had by contacting 061-217604, [e-mail]