What are my Rights?

As an employee, you are entitled to receive certain basic employment rights. Although some industries entitle employees to different rights, the list below is the minimum you should receive.

  • A written statement of terms and conditions of employment. Whilst the full contract does not have to be in writing, certain terms and conditions of your employment must be stated in writing within two months of starting employment. These would typically include the method of calculating pay and whether or not there is a sick pay scheme in operation. (For fixed term employees it would also include in what circumstances your employment will come to an end.)
  • A written statement of pay or ‘payslip’. Your payslip should set out gross pay and list all deductions made from it.
  • A minimum wage

Most experienced adult workers in Ireland are entitled to be paid €8.65 per hour. There are however, some exceptions to the minimum wage, including those employed by close relatives, those aged under 18 and trainees or apprentices.

There are also certain industries in Ireland where a higher minimum wage applies, including the construction industry. Further information on these industries is available from our industry specific pages.

  • A maximum working week average of 48 hours a week

The maximum 48 hour week is based on an average calculated over a four, six, or twelve-month period depending on the industry. Your employer must keep a record of how many hours you work.

  • Unpaid breaks during working hours

You have the right to a 15-minute break if working four and a half hours of work and a 30-minute break if working six hours of work.

  • Annual leave from work

Full-time workers have the right to four working weeks paid annual leave per year. Part-time workers have the right to a proportional amount of annual leave based on the amount of time they work.

  • A minimum amount of notice before dismissal

You are entitled to a minimum amount of notice if your employment ceases. The minimum amount of notice depends on the length of service. 

This list is not exhaustive and is not a legal interpretation.