Changes include the introduction of

• a dedicated postponement email address, and
• a process to address delayed decisions.

Postponement applications

Deirdre Malone of Ronan Daly Jermyn and member of the Employment & Equality Law Committee writes that scheduling hearing dates is recognised as one Scheduling hearing dates is recognised as one of the greatest challenges facing the WRC. Postponement applications are often received and therefore granted too late to re-allocate the vacated hearing date to another case.

Since 16 September 2019, the WRC has commenced accepting applications for postponements through a new dedicated email address - postponements@workplacerelations.ie.

For the moment, applications will be considered and processed by email only. The email address is designed to expedite the postponement application process.

The WRC plans to introduce, on a pilot basis, further improvements to the postponement application process in the coming months. The Employment & Equality Law Committee will update practitioners as soon as the pilot scheme launches. 

Delayed decisions

Separately, the WRC recognises that there are sometimes delays in issuing decisions following the completion of hearings before Adjudication Officers. Practitioners are advised to contact Ms Mary Killeen (Adjudication Services) and cc Mr David Small, Head of Adjudication Services in relation to any case where a decision has been outstanding for three months or longer. The WRC will follow up with the relevant Adjudication Officer.

Ms Mary Killeen can be contacted by email at mary.killeen@workplacerelations.ie and a copy of this email can be sent to David Small by email at David.Small@workplacerelations.ie.