First published on Friday, March 7, 2025
Last updated on Friday, March 7, 2025
Welcome to HR Heartbeat, where we take a look at the week’s most pressing HR and employment law stories. With over a decade of experience as a solicitor working in employment law, I give my opinion on current trends impacting your business, as well as my own personal commentary on all things HR and legal.
Limerick restaurant staff revolt over unpaid wages—and win
Here’s a lesson for business owners: if you don’t pay your staff, they won’t work, and you might just be stung by a €22,000 bill. Well, that’s exactly what happened to a Limerick City restaurant, where nine workers took matters into their own hands, shutting down the business over unpaid wages.
Head chef Frederico told the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) he worked an eye-watering 111-hour week to help launch the restaurant in 2023—only to be left unpaid, along with his colleagues. When wages didn’t appear in November, to nobodies surprise, the staff walked out.
The employer then failed to show up at key hearings. So the WRC ultimately awarded the workers between €962 and €2,926 each, covering unpaid wages. Sunday pay top-ups and annual leave. My takeaway for employers is a simple one: pay your staff for hours worked.
Wage disputes aren’t just bad for your team, they can shut down your business completely. Get your payroll in order, or your risk losing a lot more than just money.
The easiest way to attract top talent? Start with fair pay
If you want to show you value your staff, one of the best ways is ensuring you pay them fairly. Lidl Ireland is leading by example this week, investing €8m in pay rises for its 6,000 employees in the Republic, with a further £1.1m for its Northern Ireland workforce.
From March 1st, Lidl employees saw their wages rise by an average of 3%, equating to around €1,300 extra per year. Maeve McCleane, Lidl’s Chief People Officer, says the company is committed to supporting its staff beyond just pay, offering “best-in-class support” through benefits and initiatives.
The message is clear: if you want to attract and retain top talent, fair pay and real investment in your people aren’t optional—they’re essential.
For other ways to keep your staff engaged, we’ve got Bright BrAInbox: “How do I make my job advert stand out to attract the best talent?”
The cost of complacency
Safety in the workplace cannot and should not ever be an afterthought, as it can quite literally mean the difference between life and death. A recent court case serves as a stark reminder when communication breaks down and safety measures aren’t watertight.
A tragic incident involving a cargo container recently resulted in a devastating loss of life in Dublin. The main cause? Gaps in communication between teams working on-site. When your procedures aren’t clear, the risks multiply—and the consequences can lead to the unthinkable.
Marine Terminals Limited was fined €15,000 for its failures, but no fine or penalty can undo the damage. And that’s exactly why I urge every business to prioritise safety at every level, ensuring clear communication, robust procedures, and a culture where protecting lives comes before anything else. When it comes to workplace safety, prevention is the only acceptable solution.
And that’s a wrap from me. Tune in next time for my take on the latest headlines and employment law stories, helping keep your business ahead!
