WRC (Workplace Relations Commission)

Rights – Responsibilities – Handling Workplace Disputes

Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) inspections are a crucial aspect of ensuring compliance with employment laws and fair workplace practices. Whether you are an employer, HR professional, or legal representative, understanding the WRC investigation and inspection process is essential for protecting your organisation and employees. This training course provides a comprehensive overview of WRC inspections, from the initial complaint to the final hearing, equipping participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to navigate inspections confidently and effectively. Through expert guidance, real-life case studies, and interactive discussions, attendees will gain a clear understanding of their rights, responsibilities, and best practices for handling workplace disputes in line with legal requirements.

Key takeaways:

• Understand the role and powers of the WRC
• Recognise employer obligations under Irish employment law
• Prepare effectively for inspections and hearings
• Conduct compliant internal investigations
• Learn from real-life WRC cases to prevent risk

All attendees will receive a full course pack to refer to and will have the benefit of learning from a trainer with a wealth of experience in this area.

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to the WRC and Its Role

• Overview of the WRC:
  
  • Establishment and statutory basis
  • Role in promoting harmonious workplace relations
• Core Functions:
  
  • Information services
  • Mediation and conciliation
  • Inspection and enforcement
  • Adjudication services
• Compliance Landscape in Ireland:
  
  • Key compliance obligations
  • Common areas of breach (working time, contracts, payslips, rest breaks)
• Recent Trends and Developments:
  
  • Emerging themes from 2023–2024 (e.g., remote work compliance, whistleblowing, equality issues)
  • WRC statistics: complaints, inspections, enforcement actions

Module 2: Understanding the WRC Investigation Process

• What Triggers an Inspection?
  
  • Complaints from employees or third parties
  • Sectoral focus and random audits
• Inspector Powers:
  
  • Entry, record review, interviews, enforcement notices
• Key Legislation Enforced by the WRC:
  
  • Employment Equality Acts
  • Unfair Dismissals Acts
  • Terms of Employment (Information) Acts
  • Organisation of Working Time Act
  • Minimum Wage Act, etc
• Employer and Employee Rights:
  
  • Right to fair process and legal representation
  • Limits to inspector authority
• Mini Exercise: Group brainstorm – “What documentation would you prepare for an unannounced inspection?”

Module 3: Preparing for a WRC Investigation

• HR Best Practices for Compliance:
  
  • Culture of proactive compliance
  • Culture of proactive compliance
• Key Records to Maintain:
  
  • Contracts of employment
  • Working time records (including rest breaks)
  • Payslips, annual leave records, disciplinary records
• Internal HR Audits:
  
  • Conducting mock inspections
  • Using checklists (provided as handout)
• Responding to an Inspection Notice:
  
  • Action steps, timeframes
  • Communicating with staff
• Group Work: In small groups, create a 3-step response plan to an inspection notice.

Module 4: Conducting an Internal Workplace Investigation

• Why Internal Investigations Matter:
  
  • Prevent escalation to external complaints
  • Demonstrates due process and transparency
• Step-by-Step Internal Process:
  1. Scoping and planning
  2. Gathering evidence
  3. Interviewing parties
  4. Report writing and recommendations
• Common Pitfalls to Avoid:
  
  • Bias, procedural flaws, delay
• Confidentiality & GDPR:
  
  • Data handling in witness interviews and records
• Employee Rights:
  
  • Right to know the complaint
  • Right to representation and to respond
• Interactive Scenario: Role-play: Interviewing a complainant – do’s and don’ts

Module 5: WRC Hearings – What to Expect

• The Adjudication Process:
  
  • Submitting a complaint or response
  • Written submissions and preliminary issues
  • Hearing process and decision timeline
• Presenting Your Case:
  
  • Key components: evidence, statements, documentation
  • How to prepare for cross-examination
• Legal Representation:
  
  • When to bring legal counsel
  • Practical tips for employers representing themselves
• Real Example Review: Sample adjudication decision what went wrong, how it could have been prevented

Module 6: Post-Investigation Actions & Case Studies

• WRC Decisions:
  
  • Enforcement, compensation, reinstatement
  • Publication on the WRC website
• Appeals to Labour Court:
  
  • Grounds, timelines, process
• Preventing Recurrence:
  
  • Updating policies and procedures
  • Training, documentation improvements
• Real-World Case Study Deep Dive:
  
  • Case 1: Unfair dismissal
  • Case 2: Discrimination claim
  • Case 3: Breach of working time legislation
• Group Exercise: Analyse one case and present findings: What lessons should employers learn?

Who Should Attend?

This course will be very beneficial to HR professionals, team leaders, managers, directors, CEO’s, business owners, legal representatives, legal advisors, compliance officers, Trade Union officials, supervisors, line managers to name just a few.

Certification

On completion of this one-day training course, you will receive your Certificate of Attendance. Please note certificates are issued at the close of the training course to participants on completion of the course.

This course may qualify for CPD points. Please check directly with your association or awarding body to see how many points they will award.

Cost

An ‘Early Bird’ discounted rate of €499 is currently available. This training course normal rate is €599. Places are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis. PLEASE NOTE THE EARLY BIRD RATE CLOSES 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO COURSE DATE. The course cost includes all course documentation and Certificate of Attendance.