Browse through brief employment and labor law updates from around the globe. Contact a Littler attorney for more information or view our global locations.

View all Q2 2018 Global Guide Quarterly updates

New Data Protection Act

New Legislation Enacted

Authors: Stephen Kane, Solicitor & Deirdre Lynch, Partner – ByrneWallace

On May 24, 2018, Ireland enacted the Data Protection Act of 2018 (Act) as a supplement to the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which became law in Ireland on May 25, 2018. Under the Act, the Data Protection Commission (DPC) will act as the supervisory authority for data protection and will have the power to enforce newly enacted offenses for breach of data protection, as well as impose administrative fines. The Act also repeals large portions of the 1988 and 2003 Data Protection Acts and establishes the rights of data subjects with respect to automated decision making.

Bill Seeks to Help Low-Hours Contract Workers

Proposed Bill or Initiative

Author: Stephen Kane, Solicitor & Deirdre Lynch, Partner – ByrneWallace

The Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017 proposes a ban on “zero hours” contracts with the exception of situations involving genuine casual work, emergency cover or short-term relief work. A zero-hours contract requires an employee to be available for work but does not have specified hours. The Bill also proposes the use of “banded hours” contracts, which will place employees on low-hours contracts in a band of hours to accurately reflect when they actually work. Additionally, the Bill would require employers to provide employees with the core terms of employment within five days of their start date.

Proposals to Expand Parental Leave

Proposed Bill or Initiative

Author: Stephen Kane, Solicitor & Deirdre Lynch, Partner – ByrneWallace

The Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill of 2017 proposes an extension of current parental leave entitlements and an increase in the age of children in respect of whom parental leave can be taken. Currently, the Bill grants parents up to 18 working weeks of unpaid leave per child, but a new proposal would extend the leave to 28 weeks. The proposal would allow parents to take leave to care for children up to 12 years old, while the current bill limits leave to parents of children 8 years old or younger. The proposal will not, however, change the age limits for parents of children with disabilities or long term illnesses, which currently is 16 years old.