If there are any specific topics you would like covered in this publication, please forward your suggestions to Adare Human Resources Management:
info@adarehrm.ie.
- Employment Case Law – each month we review a number of interesting employment law cases and consider their implications for organisations. This month we look at Key Considerations for Employers in Respect to COVID-19 and the Workplace. Read more >>>
- Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) Decisions – each month we look at and review the decisions from the WRC. This provides a valuable insight into the types of discrimination cases before the WRC and the decisions that are issued. Read more >>>
- What to Keep an Eye Out For – what is new, changing, potentially changing or what you may have missed. Read more >>>
The Government's National COVID-19 Income Support Scheme
The scheme has been established to provide financial support to Irish workers and companies affected by the crisis.
In summary:
- A temporary wage subsidy of 70% of take home pay up to a maximum weekly tax free amount of €410 per week to help affected companies keep paying their employees. This is the equivalent of €500 per week before tax
- Workers who have lost their jobs due to the crisis will receive an enhanced emergency COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment of €350 per week (an increase from €203)
- The COVID-19 illness payment will also be increased to €350 per week
- The self-employed will be eligible for the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment of €350 directly from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (rather than the Revenue scheme)
- Enhanced protections for people facing difficulties with their mortgages, rent or utility bills.
It follows from a range of supports already in place to help business through the crisis.
The Government is taking these extraordinary measures to help ordinary Irish citizens and families during this period of great economic and social stress.
These measures will be costly – with an initial estimated cost of €3.7 billion over a twelve-week period.
The Government believes these costs are necessary to ensure social solidarity with workers and their families affected by the crisis.
For queries relating to the coronavirus in the workplace, or any HR and employment law matters, contact the team at Adare Human Resource Management – info@adarehrm.ie / 01 5613594.
See also: The Wheel's COVID-19 information hub.