In the first 6 months of 2013, NERA dealt with 28,794 queries. One of the main topics the queries dealt with related to the terms and conditions of employment.
In the same period NERA made 2,755 workplace inspections, 42% of those inspected were non-compliant and in breach of their employer duties. 29 convictions resulted in fines €400,000 imposed.
NERA carries out workplace inspections to ensure compliance with employment rights legislation. The latest report includes some interesting details on the inspections that have taken place between January and June and the breaches uncovered.
• The amount of unpaid wages recovered over this period was €426,818.
• 45 cases were referred for prosecution.
• 31 convictions were recorded in cases heard by the courts over the period resulting in fines of €77,400 being imposed.
The report breaks down the employers they have inspected by sectors marking each sector with a compliance rate. The Catering sector with 215 has the most inspections by a distance and a compliance rate of 42%. This is followed by Construction with 130 inspections and a compliance rate of 51%, Agriculture with 62 inspections and a compliance rate of 42% and Retail Grocery with 61 inspections and a compliance rate of 48%.
NERA also operates a call centre providing information on employment issues. For the period January to June 2012, they provided information to over 33,900 people. The highest numbers of queries were in the categories of redundancy, working hours, terms of employment, payment of wages and unfair dismissal.
Bright Contracts – Employment contracts and handbooks
BrightPay – Payroll Software