WRC Annual Report Reveals Increased Level of Compliance Activity

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has published its 2024 annual report.

The WRC annual report can be useful in identifying workplace trends and compliance targets for the WRC inspectorate division.

Some of the most notable findings from this year’s report included:

Workplace Inspections

6,217 workplace inspection visits took place with the Inspectorate placing a strong emphasis on sectors including National Minimum Wage, Commercial Sea Fishing and EMPACT (European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats) Labour Exploitation campaign.

Recovery of Unpaid Wages

A total of 5,156 inspections were completed in 2024 with €2.15m recovered in unpaid wages. Successful prosecutions were up 27% on 2023.

Codes of Practice

The Code of Practice on the Right to Request Remote and/or Flexible Working was published on 7 March 2024.

A review of the Code of Practice on Access to Part-Time Working (SI No 8 of 2006) is at the analysis stage and it is anticipated that the review will be completed in the first half of 2025.

Referrals under the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2021

Disability, gender and race continue to be the top three grounds cited in employment equality referrals to the WRC.

Notable Decisions

The report also noted Employee claims that were adjudicated in the WRC involving recently introduced entitlements around statutory sick pay, the right to request remote working arrangements and claims by individuals concerning employment status. The uptick in employment status claims is likely to continue in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Revenue Commissioners-v-Karshan (Midlands) Ltd T/A Domino’s Pizza and subsequent Revenue Guidance.

Reinforcing Importance of Employment Law Compliance

The WRC annual report serves as a regular reminder of the onus on Organisations to maintain compliance with Ireland’s extensive body of employment law. The 2024 annual report confirms that the employment law watchdog continues to maintain a high level of compliance and dispute resolution activity as well as informing citizens about their statutory employment rights through its Information and Customer Service Unit.