28th March 2023
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) today published the first set in what will be a series of short animations to assist users of WRC services and to promote more harmonious workplace relations generally.
The animations cover a range of WRC services including:
- how to make a complaint to the WRC and what happens during an adjudication hearing
- promoting dignity in the workplace
- pre-adjudication mediation explained
- WRC Advisory Service explained
The animations, in Irish, English, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Spanish and Ukrainian, are available at workplacerelations.ie/wrc/en/what-we-do/wrc-videos/wrc-videos.html
The animations are the first of a suite of animations which form part of the WRC outreach programme which aims to raise awareness of WRC services.
Commenting on the initiative, Minister of State for Employment Affairs and Retail Business, Neale Richmond TD, said:
“The WRC does really important work in delivering fair and compliant workplaces and the non-discriminatory delivery of services for people across the country. These useful animations will be of great help to users of WRC services, which are independent, impartial and cost-effective.”
Liam Kelly, Director General of the WRC said:
“These short animations are the latest in a series of initiatives designed to reach out to people who might benefit from using the services of the WRC, educating people about their rights and obligations and protecting the rights of workers, employers and others in the State.”
The WRC has five regional offices, Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Ennis and Sligo and its mission is to deliver a quality customer service throughout Ireland, which is speedy, user-friendly, independent, effective, impartial and cost-effective. The WRC provides various means of dispute resolution, redress and effective enforcement, and improves workplace relations, all of which are delivered fee free.
The multi-lingual animations help to explain, in simple terms, how the WRC helps employers and employees with work-related issues.
The first animation on Making a complaint to the WRC, set out how to make a complaint using the WRC Complaint Application Form and what to expect when attending an Adjudication Hearing of the WRC.
The animation on the Promotion of Dignity in the Workplace explains that places of employment should be committed to ensuring that all workers are provided with a safe environment which is free from all forms of bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment.
The Pre-Adjudication Mediation animation explains that Pre-Adjudication Mediation is a process whereby an appointed mediator talks through the issues to a complaint with both parties, either individually or together, with the view of reaching a mutually acceptable agreement. Pre-Adjudication Mediation provides an opportunity for a more informal and non-legalistic approach for parties to resolve the issues before the matter goes to an Adjudication Hearing.
The final animation sets out how the WRC Advisory Service delivers a range of services to employers and employees with the aim of improving workplace relations. These include Advisory Reviews, Preparation of Codes of Practice, and Knowledge Development and Guidance on best practice in employee relations.
Additional short animations will be made available in the coming months to cover a wide range of useful information which will help and support both workers and employers.
Further information is available at the Workplace Relations website.
Notes for Editor
Workplace Relations Commission
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) was established on 1 October 2015. The main functions of the WRC are to:
- promote the improvement of workplace relations, and the maintenance of good workplace relations
- promote and encourage compliance with relevant employment legislation
- provide guidance in relation to compliance with Codes of Practice
- conduct reviews of, and monitor developments, in workplace relations generally
- conduct or commission relevant research and provide advice, information and the findings of research to Joint Labour Committees and Joint Industrial Councils
- advise the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to the application of, and compliance with, relevant legislation
- provide information to the public in relation to employment legislation (other than the Employment Equality Act)[1].
The WRC has five regional offices; Dublin, Carlow, Cork, Ennis and Sligo and has a staffing complement of just over 200 civil servants and the work is supplemented by a further 44 Adjudication Officers who are contracted to assist Adjudication Service on a case-by-case basis. The organisation plays a vital role in Irish society and the economy generally.
The mission of the WRC is to deliver a quality customer service throughout Ireland, which is speedy, user-friendly, independent, effective, impartial and cost-effective. The WRC provides various means of dispute resolution, redress and effective enforcement, and improves workplace relations, all of which are delivered fee free.
The latest updates from the WRC are available on the WRC website (workplacerelations.ie) and social channels, Twitter (@WRC_IE) and LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/workplace-relations-commission/)
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