HR e-ssentials - Aug '05

HR e-ssentials from Graphite HRM
 
Graphite HRM Ltd. | August '05

Welcome to our August '05 issue of HR e-ssentials, the monthly e-zine from Graphite HRM on developments in people management and labour law practice. We would like to extend a warm welcome to all our recent subscribers.
Contents

.....Graphite Events
– Autumn/Winter 2005 Calendar of Events Launched
– Many of you will have received a copy of the brochure outlining our programme of events – book early and we look forward to seeing you at them. See www.graphitehrm.com for further details

Dublin Events
– Managing Dignity and Diversity in the Workplace – 13th September
– Train The Designated Contact Person – 14th September
– Performance Management : Goal Setting and Reviewing – 20th September
– Managing Discipline and Grievance – 4th October
– Selection Interviewing Skills – 13th October

Upcoming Breakfast Seminar
– Investigations: How ready are you? – September 28th, Dublin

.....New Legal Editors
– Ronan Daly Jermyn - Our New Legal Editors

.....Lessons from Employment Law
– Equality Officer emphasises the importance of creating and retaining recruitment records

.....Employment Law Update
– Summary of the recently published Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005

.....Graphite Consultation Queries
– July’s most commonly asked questions

 
 
Graphite Events

Managing Dignity and Diversity in the Workplace
13th September, Dublin

In today’s workforce, managing both dignity and diversity are critical skills to ensure people of differing backgrounds, experience and self-identification work effectively together to deliver performance. This 1-day workshop provides managers and HR professionals with a clear understanding of what is needed for effective policy, procedures and strategies to maintain dignity and respect and maximise the value of diversity within the workplace.

This 1-day workshop will take place in the Berkeley Court Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin on 13th September.

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Train the Designated Contact Person
14th September, Dublin

This 1-day workshop provides delegates with the knowledge and expertise in how to handle queries and/or support individuals who feel they may have been harassed, sexually harassed or bullied at work. It is specifically targeted at persons who are designated a “Contact Person” under their organisation’s dignity policy, e.g. members of the HR team, supervisors, team leaders, managers, nominated staff. The workshop will provide the “Contact Person” with the confidence to conduct their role and support/advise employees in an impartial manner.

This 1-day workshop will take place in the Berkeley Court Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin on 14th September.

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Performance Management: Goal Setting and Reviewing
20th September, Dublin

This 1-day workshop provides participants with the knowledge, skills, and techniques to both establish clearly defined goals and to effectively review performance. This is a practical workshop during which managers will understand the success factors in managing performance, practice writing goals and emerge with goals set for their employee/s.

This 1-day workshop will take place in the Berkeley Court Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin on 20th September.

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Managing Discipline and Grievance
4th October, Dublin

This workshop provides managers, supervisors and HR personnel with a practical understanding of how to effectively develop and implement discipline and grievance procedures. The workshop looks at the legislative requirements, reflects on lessons from case law, and focuses on the practical application of policies and procedures. It places an emphasis on understanding the procedural requirements, and giving delegates the practical skills to manage performance and conduct meetings relating to discipline and grievance.

This 1-day workshop will take place in the Berkeley Court Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin on 4th October.

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Selection Interviewing Skills
13th October, Dublin

Selection Interviewing Skills is a 1 day skills workshop for any individual who uses recruitment interviews to select employees. This practical workshop places selection interviewing in the context of the overall recruitment process and equips interviewers with the necessary skills to successfully screen applicants, and question and evaluate candidates at all levels, in a fair and effective way.

This 1-day workshop will take place in the Berkeley Court Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin on 13th October.

Please note that places are limited on all workshops so for further information, or to make a booking, please contact Elaine Peters on 01 – 6627099 or mailto:fran.graydon@graphitehrm.com

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Breakfast Seminar
Investigations - How ready are you?
September 28th, Dublin

Our September half-day seminar will concentrate on How to conduct an Investigation in the workplace. The emphasis will be on promoting best practice and compliance in dealing with an employee complaint and carrying out an Investigation in addition to providing concrete practical information on how to set up and manage the investigation process, and the attendant risks.

The content will include:
- Legal underpinnings for Investigations - EEA, H&S, Codes of Practice
-Ways to manage incidents / complaints (informal, mediation, formal)
- Setting up an investigation, who carries it out
- Lessons from the Equality Tribunal
- Managing the boundaries, risks & complexities
- Investigation reports and taking action
- Policy and prevention

The seminar will take place in Dublin on September 28th from 08:30 until 12:00. Breakfast will be served from 07:45.

Further details will be sent out in the near future.

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New Legal Editors

Ronan Daly Jermyn - Our New Legal Editors

Graphite HRM and Ronan Daly Jermyn Solicitors have announced a new relationship designed to support organisations throughout Ireland in the application of Employment Law.

“Personnel Policies and Procedures – The Law in Perspective” Graphite’s HR Compliance manual was first published back in 1997. Up-dated twice annually it allows organisations understand the changing labour law landscape, recommends how to implement the legislation and provides sample policies and procedures to support compliance. With over 1,500 licenced users in Ireland its popularity speaks volumes for its quality and value.

An element of the future success of “Personnel Policies and Procedures – The Law in Perspective” will be the quality of the legal editing. Graphite believes it has found, through the new relationship with Ronan Daly Jermyn as legal editors, a firm of solicitors who share the same commitment to quality while having the in-house experience and expertise of Employment Law.

Ronan Daly Jermyn (RDJ) offers specialist legal expertise and represents corporate clients engaged in a wide range of activities, including the principal participants in a number of sectors of the Irish economy. In addition, RDJ advise a significant number of public sector bodies and government agencies.

Broadly, the firm is divided into the Commercial Department, the Construction & Property Department, the Litigation Department and the Private Client Department. Within these broad divisions sit specialisations in such areas as Corporate Transactions, Tax, Employment, Corporate Compliance, Public Procurement, Construction & Engineering, and Commercial Property. Frequently, matters require expertise across a range of legal disciplines, and the firm has the capacity to draw specialist advisers together as the need arises.

The RDJ Employment Law Unit provides a practical and comprehensive service ranging from advising on all employment issues and disputes to representation before the Employment Appeals Tribunal, the Labour Relations Commission, the Equality Tribunal and the Courts.

In addition to the Legal Editing relationship, Roan Daly Jermyn will co-present at Graphite’s Employment Law Breakfast Seminar series.

This strategic relationship between Roan Daly Jermyn and Graphite HRM will we believe bring an enhanced level of service to customers and clients of both firms.

For further information please visit the RDJ website at www.rdj.ie or contact: Fergus Long, Partner, Employment Law Unit (021) 4802700 Email: fergus.long@rdj.ie

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Lessons from Employment Law

Importance of the creation and retention of recruitment records

In the recent decision of the Equality Tribunal in the case of Dr . Ronaldo Munck –vs- National University of Ireland, Maynooth there was a strong emphasis placed on the importance of compiling and retaining interview records. In the Equality Officer’s determination reference was made to NUI Maynooth being unable to provide sufficient documentation to support the contention that it had not discriminated against Dr Munck on the grounds of race. Due to their failure to discharge the burden of proof that they had not discriminated against Dr Munck on the grounds of race he was awarded €10,000.

The determination is interesting, as the Equality Officer placed specific emphasis on the expectation by both the Equality Tribunal and The Labour Court that employers will create and retain recruitment records that may be scrutinised in future third party actions to determine if there has been a breach of Equality Legislation. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of each interviewer scoring each individual candidate and retaining records of same.

To read the full summary, login to the HR Information Client Zone on our website at www.graphitehrm.com and look under Lessons from Employment Case Law - Equality.

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Employment Law Update

The Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005

The Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005 was published in July. The Bill establishes a general framework setting out minimum requirements for the right to information and consultation of employees in undertakings. The new legislation transposes the EU Council Directive 2002/14/EC on Information and Consultation of Employees.

The aim of the Directive is to strengthen dialogue and promote mutual trust within undertakings. The Bill facilitates a co-operative and positive approach by individual undertakings and their employees to meeting the objectives of the Directive. It encourages parties to agree their own arrangements for providing information and consultation that are best suited to their needs.

To read the article in full, login to the HR Information Client Zone on our website at www.graphitehrm.com and look under Employment Law Update.

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Graphite Consultation Service – July’s most frequently asked questions

Graphite HRM is moving away from the HR Hotline Premium Rate Service and will now offer a consultation service which is provided as part of the annual licensing arrangement. As part of our regular monthly review in HR e-ssentials Graphite HRM will now provide you with an insight into the type of queries we get through our client consultation service.

Q: Is a male employee who is an expectant father employee entitled to paid time off to attend Ante-natal classes?

A. Pursuant to the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 an expectant father was granted the entitlement of paid time off to attend the last two ante-natal classes of a set which the expectant mother is attending. This is a once off entitlement and only applies to one pregnancy. In terms of notifying his employer the expectant father should provide written notice as soon as possible but in any event at least two weeks prior to the first class. An employer may request that appropriate documentation verifying the details of the ante-natal classes.

To read about this legislation see Chapter 11, Leave of Absence in Personnel Policies and Procedures – the law in perspective.

Q: Can an employer provide an employee with pay in lieu for their holiday entitlement?

A: In accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 the only time that an employer can make a payment to an employee in lieu of their statutory leave entitlement is upon the cessation of employment. The impact of this is that an employee, even at their request, cannot receive monetary compensation in lieu of their annual leave.

To read about the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, see Chapter 10, Holidays in Personnel Policies and Procedures – the law in perspective.


Disclaimer - This is not a legal service, all suggestions will be based on HR best practice.
You should seek independent legal advice before making any decisions.

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*******Order a free 7-day evaluation copy of Personnel Policies and Procedures - The Law in Perspective our leading employment law manual by emailing sales@graphitehrm.com or phoning Elaine Peters on (01) 6627099********


 

 
 
  Graphite Events

Breakfast Seminar
28th September
Investigations: How ready are you?

13th September
Managing Dignity and Diversity in the Workplace

14th September
Train the Designated Contact Person

20th September
Performance Management: Goal Setting and Reviewing

4th October
Managing Discipline and Grievance

13th October
Selection Interviewing Skills

To make an enquiry, or to book a place on any of Graphite HRM's workshops please contact Elaine Peters on 01-6627099 or email fran.graydon@graphitehrm.com or for online bookings click here.

Free 7-day Evaluation
Order a free 7-day evaluation copy of Personnel Policies and Procedures - The Law in Perspective our leading employment law manual by emailing sales@graphitehrm.com or phoning Elaine Peters on (01) 6627099
If you can't read all the articles in our HTML ezine, please email hrinfo@graphitehrm.com for the text version of this months ezine.

Tell your friends and colleagues about HR e-ssentials.
Thank you!

 
Copyright © 2005 Graphite HRM Ltd. All Rights Reserved

Graphite HRM Ltd, Stephen's House, 7/8 Upper Mount Street, Dublin 2. Tel. 353-1-6627099
Email: hrinfo@graphitehrm.com

Legal Editors – Since May 2005, the Employment Law Unit of Ronan Daly Jermyn (RDJ), one of Ireland's leading law firms, have been providing legal editing for Personnel Policies and Procedures - The Law in Perspective. The Employment Law Unit of RDJ specialises in advising clients on all aspects of the employment relationship. For further advice on RDJ's services please visit the RDJ website at www.rdj.ie or contact Fergus Long, Partner, Employment Law Unit (021) 4802700 Email: fergus.long@rdj.ie

 

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Disclaimer - Graphite HRM Ltd has taken all reasonable care to ensure the accuracy of the information presented both in this electronic magazine and on our website. Graphite HRM Ltd does not make any warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information within or accessible through our website. Graphite HRM Ltd reserves the right at any time to revise, alter or delete the information provided on our electronic magazine and on our website. The material and information contained on this site is for general information only and does not constitute any form of offer for sale, advice or recommendation by Graphite HRM Ltd. You should seek independent legal advice before making any decisions. In no circumstances shall Graphite HRM Ltd be liable to you or any other third parties for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from your use of this site or the information on this site.