Industrial Relations & Employment Services
The Industrial Relations and Employment Services Department implements the policies and directions set out by the CIF’s Industrial Relations sub-Committee. It provides information, advice and support to Members on managing their workforce to ensure compliance with employment protective legislation. The Department can provide specific HR training to management and also provides a service where they will represent members at meetings with trade unions, the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court, free of charge.
Resources
A to Z employment guide
HR documentation
Guidance Documents & Template Letters
CIF IR All Member Circulars
Services
Industrial Relations
With ever-increasing employment and industrial relations legislation, companies must keep fully up to date and ensure that all legislative requirements are applied correctly. The consequence of not complying can be expensive and damaging.
The CIF’s Industrial Relations and Employment Services Department offers a service which is based on first hand experience and knowledge of the construction industry, which is unrivalled by any commercial organisation. Companies save substantially by availing of this expertise, which is free to members.
Human Resource Management
The CIF is uniquely positioned to advise construction companies on their Human Resource Management requirements. Your people are your most valuable resource. It is through people that companies grow and develop a competitive edge. However, this resource must be managed correctly. The CIF knows how the industry works and offers its members practical advice on how to manage and optimise their human resources. This comprehensive service is available to all members.
Training
Training is also provided on employment/industrial relations legislation and human resource management.
Services
The CIF Industrial Relations & Employment Services Department provides information, advice and support on a range of issues, including:
- Guidance on Employment Terms and Conditions in Construction
- Contracts of Employment – construction specific
- Employee Handbooks – construction specific
- Employment and Industrial Relations Updates
- Up-to-date Information on New Legislation and Policies
- Advice on Temporary Lay-offs and Redundancies
- Negotiations with Trade Unions – the CIF will directly represent you in negotiations with Trade Unions
Policies and Procedures are available on a range of issues including:
- Bullying and Harassment
- Dispute Resolution
- Disciplinary Procedures
- Grievance Handling
- Data Protection
- Whistleblowing
- E-mail use
Representation
There are over 30 pieces of employment protective legislation which employers must be aware of in order to avoid costly claims. These include:
- The Terms of Employment (Information) Act
- Unfair Dismissals Acts
- Redundancy Payments Acts
- Organisation of Working Time Act
- Industrial Relations Acts
- Equality Acts
- Minimum Notice & Terms of Employment Acts
- Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Act
- Parental Leave Acts
- Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act
- Protected Disclosures Act
- Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act
Should a claim arise under the above Acts, or any other employment protective Act, the Industrial Relations and Employment Services Department will represent members at the Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court, free of charge. The cost of accessing these and other CIF services and supports externally would far exceed the cost of CIF membership, and the CIF’s success rate reflects its industry knowledge and know how.
Representation is provided for CIF Members at meetings with trade unions/employee representatives, the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court.
Members requiring assistance relating to the above services can contact any member of the Department for further information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find Contracts of Employment?
The latest HR documentation can be found here.
Where can I find an Employee Handbook?
You will find a sample employee handbook here.
Where can I find the current rates of pay under the Sectoral Employment Order (SEO)?
The most up to date SEO document can be found here.
Where can I find the Construction Holidays?
We have a detailed calendar listing out the annual leave / public holidays for 2024/2025 here.
Can the IR Department help me with an employee who has taken a case?
Yes – the IR Department has a team of experienced executives who offer representation in the WRC and the Labour Court. See staff contacts below for a team member to get in touch with.
Can the IR Department help me with Union communications?
Yes – the IR Department can offer assistance with both written and in person Union communication. This includes both local disputes and conciliation. See staff contacts below for a team member to get in touch with.
Can the IR Department help me with general HR & employment queries?
The IR Department specialises in HR and Employment advice and can be reached by phone or email between 9-5 Monday to Friday. However, in the hours where the CIF is closed we have catalogued an A-Z employment guide detailing the latest information. You can find it here.
Where can I find the latest IR updates?
The latest IR updates are sent out in our weekly all member circulars. For an archive of these updates please see here.
Staff
Jean Winters
Director, Industrial Relations and Employment Services
Jean and her team provide information and advice to contractors on managing their workforce to ensure compliance with employment protective legislation. The Department also represents contractors at third party hearings, including the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court. Jean represents the industry at national level on the NJIC and ENJIC. The Department also provides sample contracts of employment, staff handbooks (which include all relevant policies and procedures) and reference guides.
Lisa Conroy
Executive, Industrial Relations & Employment Services
Lisa joined the CIF in 2023, coming from a consultancy background focused on employment litigation in the Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court. Lisa holds a BCL in Law and Society from Dublin City University and an Advanced Diploma in Applied Employment Law from Kings Inn. Lisa is available to advise all members on issues pertaining to Industrial Relations, Human Resources and Employment Law, along with providing representation in any third-party disputes.
Hugh Hegarty
Executive, Industrial Relations and Employment Services
Cathy Gurry
Administrator
Cathy joined the CIF in 2003 and over the following years, Cathy worked in the Industrial Relations and Manpower Department giving advice to members regarding Employment Law and HR issues. More recently in addition to advising members in Employment Law, Cathy now offers full-time support to the Housing Director, in an administrative role.