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The expected length of working life in Ireland increases to 37 years
The length of time Irish people are forecast to spend in the labour market has increased to 37 years, above the European Union average of 36.2 years, new figures from Eurostat suggest. The figures indicate the time people aged 15 years in 2018 are expected to spend in the labour market, either employed or unemployed, throughout his or her life, Eurostat said.
The average expected duration of working life in the EU has increased by 0.3 years since 2017 and is 3.3 years longer than it was in 2000. In the Republic, it has also nudged up 0.3 years compared to a year ago and is 3.8 years longer than at the start of the century.
For men across the EU, the average expected working life duration is 38.6 years, some 4.9 years longer than for women, at 33.7 years. In the Republic, the figure for men was 40.4 years compared to 33.6 years for women, a gender gap of 6.8 years.
Sweden had the longest expected working life among EU states at 41.9 years, followed by the Netherlands at 40.5 years. On the other end of the spectrum, Italy had the shortest expected working life at 31.8 years, followed by Croatia at 32.4 years and Greece at 32.9 years.
Eurostat said there was a clear east/west division regarding the average expected duration of working life, with eastern countries tending to have shorter working life spans than ones on the western side. Italy, Belgium and Luxembourg were exceptions to the rule.
The average expected duration of working life in the EU has increased by 0.3 years since 2017 and is 3.3 years longer than it was in 2000. In the Republic, it has also nudged up 0.3 years compared to a year ago and is 3.8 years longer than at the start of the century.
For men across the EU, the average expected working life duration is 38.6 years, some 4.9 years longer than for women, at 33.7 years. In the Republic, the figure for men was 40.4 years compared to 33.6 years for women, a gender gap of 6.8 years.
Sweden had the longest expected working life among EU states at 41.9 years, followed by the Netherlands at 40.5 years. On the other end of the spectrum, Italy had the shortest expected working life at 31.8 years, followed by Croatia at 32.4 years and Greece at 32.9 years.
Eurostat said there was a clear east/west division regarding the average expected duration of working life, with eastern countries tending to have shorter working life spans than ones on the western side. Italy, Belgium and Luxembourg were exceptions to the rule.
Family settles case against Employer after alleged asleep at wheel fatality
The family of a young man, who died in a road accident as he drove back to Dublin in the early hours of the morning after working in Sligo, have settled their case against the Employer.
It was claimed that the 19-year-old man fell asleep at the wheel as he travelled back home after working late one evening. Evidence provided from the Garda said that there was no explanation for the accident other than the part-time worker must have fallen asleep.
The family’s defence said that the young man should not have been allowed drive the van back from Sligo to Dublin. It was claimed that he was required to work an excessively long shift which included a long drive in the dark at its conclusion and was required to drive back to Dublin from Sligo when it was inappropriate and dangerous to do so. It was further claimed there were failures to provide the young man with accommodation so he could rest and to allow him sufficient rest before requiring him to undertake a night time drive in excess of three hours.
The claims were denied and it was contended there was alleged contributory negligence on the part of the individual in question.
Although there was disputes amongst the parties, the case was eventually settled outside of the Courts.
It was claimed that the 19-year-old man fell asleep at the wheel as he travelled back home after working late one evening. Evidence provided from the Garda said that there was no explanation for the accident other than the part-time worker must have fallen asleep.
The family’s defence said that the young man should not have been allowed drive the van back from Sligo to Dublin. It was claimed that he was required to work an excessively long shift which included a long drive in the dark at its conclusion and was required to drive back to Dublin from Sligo when it was inappropriate and dangerous to do so. It was further claimed there were failures to provide the young man with accommodation so he could rest and to allow him sufficient rest before requiring him to undertake a night time drive in excess of three hours.
The claims were denied and it was contended there was alleged contributory negligence on the part of the individual in question.
Although there was disputes amongst the parties, the case was eventually settled outside of the Courts.
Workers who report sexual harassment are “bullied or ignored”
In a recent report issued by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) it has been found that most workers who reported sexual harassment to their employers said they were subsequently passed over for promotion, or became targets for more bullying.
The startling findings also show that 81% of people who experience sexual harassment at work do not proceed to report it to their employer. Shockingly, it found that 27 of the Respondents surveyed said they had been seriously assaulted or raped at work, with 5 stating that the attacks had happened within the past year.
"Of all the alarming statistics thrown up by the polling, the fact that jumps out for me is the unacceptably high levels of under-reporting and dissatisfaction with their employer's action among those who do report sexual harassment," said ICTU General Secretary, Patricia King.
The startling findings also show that 81% of people who experience sexual harassment at work do not proceed to report it to their employer. Shockingly, it found that 27 of the Respondents surveyed said they had been seriously assaulted or raped at work, with 5 stating that the attacks had happened within the past year.
"Of all the alarming statistics thrown up by the polling, the fact that jumps out for me is the unacceptably high levels of under-reporting and dissatisfaction with their employer's action among those who do report sexual harassment," said ICTU General Secretary, Patricia King.
