First published on Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Last updated on Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Welcome to HR Heartbeat, where we take a look at this year’s most pressing HR and employment law stories, month by month.
January: Social media rights in the workplace were in the spotlight. Employers need crystal-clear social media policies to set the ground rules. BrightBase offers ready-made, compliant templates.
February: Unemployment was close to record lows in February, making the talent market highly competitive and hybrid/flexible working a big plus. Apps like Blip make clocking-in and out effortless, with remote working features and real-time updates.
March: Staff in a Limerick restaurant who shut down the business over unpaid wages ended up with awards of between €960 and €3,000 in a WRC hearing. Get your payroll in order, or your risk losing a lot more than just money.
April: Pet friendly policies became an HR issue, especially in competitive sectors. The right workplace policy, clearly written and fairly applied, can help avoid any fur flying later on.
May: The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) released its 2024 report, with over 5,000 inspections carried out and €2.15 million clawed back in unpaid wages. Having up-to-date policies, accurate wage records and clear remote working tools is a must.
June: Research showed that over 75% of employers are unhappy with the quality of job applications they receive. Clear job ads and realistic role expectations help attract stronger candidates, as well as tracking skills, identifying gaps, and investing in training.
July: Record-breaking temperatures caused MPs to call for workplace heat protections. While we wait for legislation, it’s smart to act now. Health & safety software can help you conduct proper risk assessments and document your heat protection measures.
August: 51% of workers under 28 ranked health over wealth as a measure of success. So, how do you attract workers who aren’t interested in career advancement? An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) can show you value employee wellbeing.
September: The schools went back, and parents began to feel the strain. 70% of parents have said that childcare accessibility affects their ability to work. If you can offer flexible working, look at a clearly written and fairly applied workplace policy.
October: The Construction Industry Federation launched a safety campaign. Take a look at our end-to-end health & safety management system, with risk assessment templates, real-time reporting and accredited health & safety training.
November: Ireland’s football team made it through to the World Cup qualifiers! Next March will see a flurry of time off requests and absences – whether authorised or unauthorised. Read our handy guide to creating an absence management policy here.
December: Employer registration opened for pension auto-enrolment, which starts on 1 January 2026. Find out your employer responsibilities and how to register here.
And that’s a wrap from me. Tune in next year for my take on the latest headlines and employment law stories, helping keep your business ahead!
