The Unfair Dismissals Act came into force on the 15 April, 1977. This for the first time gave an employee rights to be reinstated where he or she was unfairly dismissed. There have been many amendments of this Act. If you feel you have been unfairly dismissed from your employment then you maybe able to claim or make a claim against your employer.
Employers should ensure that they have the correct procedures leading up to a dismissal to ensure that a dismissed employee does not have grounds for bringing a claim against them. These claims are brought in the Employment Appeals Tribunal or the EAP or the Rights Commissioner and must be brought within 6 months of the date of dismissal. An employee can be deemed to be dismissed where they felt forced to leave by the actions of the employer this is known as constructive dismissal and they may also lead to a claim.
There is extensive information for both employees and employers on the Nera site – National Employment Rights authority – www.employeradvice.ie or www.employmentrights.ie Further information can also be obtained at the Citizen Information Service which is www.citizeninformation.ie under employment enforcement and regress.
