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Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) COVID-19 Update – 24 September 2020

Adjudication Service

Dublin Hearings in Lansdowne House

Oral Hearings in Lansdowne House in Dublin will proceed for weeks of 28th September and further weeks subject to continuing government advice and guidance.

A one-way system of entry and exit to the building has been implemented and is being observed. Visitors should walk on the right-hand side of the corridors. Further details are set out in the Guidance for Visitors in Face to Face hearings in WRC Offices”. Parties are asked to wear face coverings upon entering the building until entering the hearing room and in public areas (e.g. reception/lobby, lifts, stairwell) within Lansdowne House, and when exiting the building.

On the day of the hearing, parties and representatives are asked to attend 10 minutes before their hearing is scheduled. Each party should not consist of more than three persons to include the named party, representative(s) and/or witnesses. Where additional witnesses are required, they should remain in the immediate vicinity outside the building until called. The lead representative on each side must have the means to communicate with that witness to enter the WRC hearing room at the appropriate time. Clear signage and sanitisation stations are in place throughout the building.

We are continuing to ask parties and representatives to be positively disposed to complaints being adjudicated upon via both written proceedings and remote hearings.

The approach taken to date has been to ensure that we maintain critical and essential WRC Adjudication hearings. The WRC proposes to continue offering dates to parties to attend face-to-face hearings (subject to social distancing and associated health measures).

The WRC will review its scheduling of hearings against public health advice as it evolves over the coming time.

Conciliation, Advisory & Mediation Service

Dublin Conferences/Meetings in Lansdowne House

Conferences and meetings will continue to take place for weeks of 28th September and beyond subject to continuing government advice and guidance. Parties will be contacted directly in the event of any changes that might arise.

 A one-way system of entry and exit to the building has been implemented and is being observed. Visitors should walk on the right-hand side of the corridors. Further details are set out in the Guidance for Visitors in Face to Face hearings/meetings in WRC Offices”. Parties are asked to wear face coverings upon entering the building until entering the conference/meeting room and in public areas (e.g. reception/lobby, lifts, stairwell) within Lansdowne House, and when exiting the building.

On the day of the conference/meeting, parties and representatives are asked to attend 10 minutes before their conference/meeting is scheduled. Each party should not consist of more than three persons. Clear signage and sanitisation stations are in place throughout the building.

  We will also continue to offer virtual/remote access to conferences and meetings.

 The approach taken to date has been to ensure that we maintain all Conciliation, Advisory and Mediation services. The WRC proposes to continue offering dates to parties to attend face-to-face meetings/conferences in Dublin (subject to social distancing and associated health measures).

The WRC will review its scheduling of conferences and meetings against public health advice as it evolves over the coming time.

Adjudication Service

Online Complaints:

Complaints for adjudication may be submitted using the online complaint form at the following link:

https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/e-complaint_form/

It is recommended that parties use the online complaint form only to submit complaints and to be aware of the important timeframes for submitting these complaints. The date of receipt will be recorded on the online complaint form. The provision of email addresses by both parties is strongly encouraged to facilitate the WRC contacting both parties to progress complaints.

The process on How to Refer a Complaint is set out on the following link

Appeals:

The Labour Court’s rules and guidelines regarding appeals, are available at the following link.

Any appeal, (with the exception of appeals of Equal Status Complaints which lie to the Circuit Court), shall be initiated by notice in writing including by email to appeals@labourcourt.ie delivered to the Labour Court within 42 days from the date of the decision being appealed. In accordance with the provisions of the Interpretation Act 2005 the date of the decision is day 1 of the 42-day period. The Labour Court have indicated that appeals submitted by email can be made up to 12 midnight on the 42nd day and the date of receipt will be the date and time automatically recorded on the email system.