ARTICLE · 13 FEBRUARY 2023

Important Changes To Probationary Periods In Ireland

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The European Union (Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions) Regulations 2022 (the 2022 Regulations) became law on 16 December 2022. See our previous article EU Directive...

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The European Union (Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions) Regulations 2022 (the 2022 Regulations) became law on 16 December 2022. See our previous article EU Directive on Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions.

The regulations make a significant change to probationary periods in an area of employment law which until 16 December 2022 was governed by contract, as opposed to legislation. The new regulations specify that probationary periods cannot exceed six months.

The regulations amend the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994 and the Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work Act) 2003 and also introduce other important changes. This article deals solely with the changes to probationary periods.

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