The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation recently launched a detailed “Blueprint to deliver a World-Class Workplace Relations Service”. The main elements of the plan to be introduced at the end of this year are:

• One information source for employers and employees
• A focus on assisting employers and employees to help them avoid and resolve disputes
• An Early Resolution Service to facilitate resolution of disputes without the need to resort to a hearing or inspection
• A single Body of First Instance to decide on all complaints, with a single route to appeal
• Common time limits for lodging complaints and appeals
• A just, fair and efficient adjudication service with a target period of three months from the time of complaint to hearing
• Written, reasoned and published decisions
• New compliance mechanisms to encourage compliance with employment law

There has been some significant progress already, including a clearnce of backlog for Rights Commissioners’ hearings from 142 days in 2010, to a matter of weeks in 2012.  Also, there is now one form replacing 30 complaint forms. This single form has dealt with over 3,500 complaints since January 2012 and 70% of all complaints used the new form. For further information or advice on this fast evolving area, call Voltedge at 01-5252914 or email us at contact@voltedge.ie