The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) recently published its annual report for 2025. It shows us that non-compliance with employment law in the workplace remains a common occurrence. Last year’s increase in complaint applications to the WRC means risk for Irish employers remain high.

There were fewer wage related breaches found by the WRC last year compared to 2024, with a 27% drop in the total amount of wages recovered, which could suggest higher compliance levels from employers. Despite this drop, it still shows relatively high enforcement activity from the WRC.

Last year saw an 8.5% increase in workplace inspections conducted by the WRC. This signals the importance of ensuring regular compliance as the WRC continue to become more proactive in enforcing employment law.

In 2025, the WRC received an additional 3,243 (44%) complaint applications. Such an increase shows the deeper understanding many employees have of their employment rights, followed by a growing number of disputes in the workplace.

Industries Most Affected:

In 2025, the Food Service and Wholesale & Retail sectors together accounted for the majority of the WRCs inspection activity with several hundreds of employers being found to have breached employment law.

On top of having the highest number of cases, the Food Service industry recorded the highest value of unpaid wages, meaning there is a high compliance risk for employers.

Specific Complaints by Type:

Last years report highlights a significant increase in complaints especially relating to pay, unfair dismissal and discrimination. A rise in complaints submitted to the WRC indicates increased awareness of employment rights, and higher employment rates meaning a larger number of disputes. Other issues such as the ongoing cost of living crisis may also be behind the rise in complaints around pay and unfair dismissals.

Mediation Cases:

From 2022 to 2025 the number of new cases going to mediation each year has nearly doubled from 1,546 to 2,950. This shows a significant growth in mediation demand as more people look to mediation as an alternative solution to solving disputes as opposed to a formal adjudication.

This is also showcased by the more gradual increase in the total number of mediations resolved, cases withdrawn after mediation before adjudication, and the total cases diverted from adjudication. These figures demonstrate the effectiveness of mediation services, and how it’s been reducing pressure on the adjudication system.

Workplace Inspections:

Despite a very slight drop last year, there’s been a growing trend in the number of workplace inspections conducted by the WRC per annum. Last year there were additional 1,202 employers inspected in comparison to 2022. Despite a higher number of inspections, the WRC has reported fewer breaches by employers, which correlates with last years lower value of recovered wages and suggests greater compliance from employers with employment law.

What This Means for Employers:

This year’s report highlights an upwards trend in activity involving the WRC. This ranges from greater enforcement on employment law from WRC inspectors to a higher number of complaints from employees, suggesting employees are making themselves more aware of their employment rights.

It’s clear that compliance risks for employers are growing, as the WRC continues to become more proactive.

Employers are particularly at risk if:

• They run a business in a sector where employee complaints are typically high (i.e. Food Service + Wholesale & Retail sectors).
• They employ minimum wage and part-time staff.
• They are not up to date with contracts, handbooks, disciplinary & grievance procedures etc.
• They are behind on key legislative updates and changing workplace obligations.

As a trusted HR consultancy firm in based in Ireland, we provide: HR audits and risk assessments, contracts, handbooks and HR policy reviews, mediation support and WRC representation, employee relations training for managers, support on employment law compliance. To learn more about how we can support your organisation, contact us at info@voltedge.ie or call 01 525 2914.

Eoghan Harley, HR Consultant