HR Hub Updates

August 31, 2023

We are excited to inform you about the recent updates we've made to our HR Hub in light of the new legislation introduced under the Work-Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act.



As part of our commitment to providing valuable support, we have uploaded comprehensive templates for a Medical Care Leave Policy and a Medical Care Leave Application Form to our HR Hub to help employers effectively manage the recent introduction of the five days of unpaid medical care leave.



Medical Care Leave Policy Template: In accordance with the latest regulations, we have developed a Medical Care Leave Policy Template that offers clear and concise guidelines for employers to communicate their policies regarding medical care leave to their employees. These templates can be easily customised to suit your organisation's specific requirements, ensuring that both employers and employees are aligned on the process and expectations surrounding medical care leave.



Medical Care Leave Application Form Template: To streamline the application process for medical care leave, we have also created a ready-to-use Medical Care Leave Application Form Template. This template provides a structured and organised way for employees to apply for medical care leave, while also helping employers gather essential information for record-keeping purposes.



It is essential for employers to make these forms and policies readily available to their employees. To facilitate this, we recommend distributing the templates through your company's intranet, employee portal, or any other suitable communication channels. By ensuring easy access to these resources, you can contribute to a smooth and transparent implementation of the new medical care leave provisions.



We understand the importance of complying with regulations and maintaining a supportive work environment for your employees. Our goal is to provide you with the tools you need to seamlessly adapt to these changes and enhance your work-life balance initiatives.



If you have any questions, require assistance in customising the templates, or need further clarification on the recent legislation changes, please don't hesitate to reach out to our dedicated support team. We're here to help.

Thank you for being a valued subscriber, and we look forward to continuing to provide you with valuable resources to navigate the evolving landscape of employment regulations.




Click Here to access the forms now.


By Tara Daly July 29, 2025
MSS - The HR People Achieves CPD Accreditation: What It Means for You At MSS - The HR People, we’re proud to announce that we have been officially accredited to deliver CPD (Continuing Professional Development) training. This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, practical, and professionally relevant training to businesses across Ireland. But what exactly does CPD accreditation mean? Why is it significant? And, most importantly, how does it benefit the clients and professionals who choose MSS for their HR training? What Is CPD and Why Does It Matter? Continuing Professional Development (CPD) refers to the process of tracking and documenting the skills, knowledge, and experience gained both formally and informally as professionals work, beyond any initial training. CPD is essential in every sector but especially in fields like HR, where employment law, workplace regulations, and people management practices are constantly evolving. CPD-accredited training is independently assessed and verified to ensure that it meets industry standards for learning outcomes, relevance, structure, and delivery. Accreditation confirms that the training is not just informative, but valuable, impactful, and capable of contributing meaningfully to a participant’s professional development. In short, CPD accreditation is a mark of quality - and we’re delighted to now carry it. What CPD Accreditation Means for Us Becoming a CPD-accredited provider is a significant validation of our work. It’s more than a badge or certificate - it’s recognition from an external body that our training: Delivers clear learning outcomes Meets the expectations of professional development standards Is structured, well-presented, and aligned with current best practices Is designed with real-world application in mind For our team, this accreditation reinforces the integrity of our training content and confirms that the learning we provide is of the same high standard expected by national and international professional organisations. It also shows that we take our role as HR educators seriously. Whether we’re delivering workshops on employment law compliance, HR policies, or best-practice recruitment and onboarding, we are doing so in a way that stands up to scrutiny, offers measurable learning outcomes, and contributes to the continuous upskilling of our clients. What It Means for Our Clients and Training Participants CPD accreditation matters because it gives our clients confidence - not just in what we teach, but in how we teach it. Whether you're an SME owner trying to stay compliant, a people manager learning how to lead teams effectively, or an HR professional seeking to grow your knowledge base, attending a CPD-accredited session with MSS brings many advantages: 1. Assurance of Quality With CPD accreditation, clients know that our training is rigorously vetted. You’re not just taking our word for it - an independent body has confirmed that the training you’re investing in meets a high standard of professional learning. 2. Tangible Professional Development For individuals building their careers or maintaining professional memberships, CPD points or hours gained through our training can be recorded as part of formal CPD logs. This is especially relevant for HR professionals, business owners, and line managers who must show ongoing learning as part of their industry obligations. 3. Enhanced Employer Credibility Businesses that invest in CPD-accredited training show their teams and stakeholders that they care about learning, improvement, and staying up to date. It’s a positive reflection on company culture and helps improve employee engagement and retention. 4. Peace of Mind Around Compliance From Inclusive Leadership, Dignity at Work and Managing Difficult Behaviours, our accredited training ensures that you and your team are not only aware of your responsibilities but are applying them correctly. That means fewer risks, fewer mistakes, and a more confident leadership approach across your organisation. 5. Career Progression for Attendees Participants who undertake CPD-accredited training can use it to build their professional profile, apply for promotions, or demonstrate ongoing learning to regulatory or membership bodies. It helps turn learning into career momentum. A Mark of Trust for the Future At MSS - The HR People, we’ve always believed that training should be more than a tick-box exercise. It should inspire new ways of thinking, give people the tools to do their jobs better, and create lasting value for the businesses we support. Being CPD-accredited adds another layer of trust for our clients. It shows that we’re not just offering what’s popular or convenient - we’re offering what’s recognised, verified, and of real value. As we look ahead, CPD accreditation allows us to expand our training offering with confidence. From one-hour sessions and lunch-and-learns to multi-day workshops and tailored in-house programmes, all our CPD-accredited training will continue to be: Grounded in practical, real-world HR expertise Updated regularly to reflect changes in law and best practice Delivered in an accessible, engaging format that suits busy teams Backed by independent quality assurance Let’s Grow Together Whether you’re new to HR responsibilities or managing people across multiple departments, learning is essential. With CPD-accredited training from MSS - The HR People, you’re guaranteed a high-quality learning experience that’s both professionally recognised and immediately useful in your role.  Contact us today to find out more about our CPD-accredited training programmes or visit www.mssthehrpeople.ie/hr-training for more details.
Ireland Ranked Second in the World for Work-Life Balance
By Tara Daly July 10, 2025
Ireland has once again been recognised as a global leader in work-life balance, ranking second in Remote’s 2025 Global Life-Work Balance Index.
Irish Employment Hits Record High
By Tara Daly July 10, 2025
The Central Statistics Office has published the Labour Force Survey for the first quarter of 2025, offering a detailed snapshot of employment trends in Ireland.
Preparing for the EU Pay Transparency Directive - What Employers Need to Know
By Tara Daly July 10, 2025
At MSS The HR People, we’re already working with clients to get ahead of these changes and turn compliance into an opportunity for stronger engagement and trust.
By Tara Daly July 10, 2025
Although the Mechanical Contracting Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) was formally quashed in 2023, many employers in the mechanical engineering and building services sector continue to follow the rates and terms recommended by the Connect Trade Union. In May 2025, Connect announced a new round of pay increases, which we must presume were agreed with a number of unionised companies. While these rates are no longer legally binding on the sector as a whole, they continue to serve as the benchmark industry standard, particularly for employers operating in unionised environments or engaging in public sector contracts. Why Employers Continue to Follow Union Rates Even in the absence of a statutory requirement, the Connect Trade Union rates remain widely applied. This is driven by several practical and commercial factors: Industry Expectations - Many public bodies and main contractors expect compliance with union rates when awarding work. Workforce Relations - Continuing to align with recognised terms helps maintain positive industrial relations and minimise the risk of disputes with Connect Trade Union. Attracting Talent -In a competitive labour market, benchmarked and transparent rates support recruitment and retention of qualified tradespeople. Consistency and Clarity - Using established rate structures avoids confusion and ensures alignment with sector norms. Updated Pay Rates – Effective May 2025 The revised rates announced by Connect Trade Union came into effect from 1st May 2025 , based on a standard 39-hour working week: 
By Tara Daly June 13, 2025
When “Better Than Statutory” Really Matters
What Irish Employers Need to Know About the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025
By Tara Daly June 12, 2025
What Irish Employers Need to Know About the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025. The Irish government has taken a significant step forward in reshaping retirement policy in the workplace with the publication of the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025. Once enacted, this legislation will introduce a new employment right, allowing, but not obliging, employees to remain in work until they reach the State Pension age.
: A Practical Guide for Employers
By Tara Daly June 12, 2025
A Practical Guide for Employers. In today's dynamic workforce, fixed-term and specified purpose contracts have become a common feature across various sectors in Ireland. Whether it's covering maternity leave, managing seasonal workloads, or executing specific projects, these contracts offer flexibility to employers and opportunities to employees. However, it's crucial to understand the legal framework governing these contracts to ensure compliance and protect the rights of all parties involved.
First WRC Award in Right to Request Remote Working claim
By Tara Daly June 12, 2025
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has issued its first award under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, and it's a timely reminder for employers across Ireland. Although multiple claims had previously been submitted to the WRC under this legislation, all were unsuccessful prior to this case.
How to Calculate Statutory Annual Leave in Ireland
By Tara Daly June 12, 2025
Annual leave entitlements are a fundamental part of every employee’s contract. But when it comes to calculating statutory annual leave, particularly for employees with variable hours, many employers are unsure of the rules