Reduce the risk of employment disputes, non-compliant HR practices, poor decision-making, and costly workplace claims through practical e-learning designed to strengthen HR knowledge, support fair procedures, and improve organisational compliance.
SAMSON TRAINING
Where Experience Meets Excellence
Reduce the risk of employment disputes, non-compliant HR practices, poor decision-making, and costly workplace claims through practical e-learning designed to strengthen HR knowledge, support fair procedures, and improve organisational compliance.
Course Outline
Module 1 – Introduction to Irish Employment Law & the Role of HR
• Understanding the purpose of employment law
• The role of HR in supporting compliant workplace practices
• Sources of employment law and workplace regulation
• Employment contracts, legislation, policies, and procedures
• Understanding organisational responsibility
• The importance of consistency and fair treatment
• Recognising employment law risk
Module 2 – Recruitment, Selection & Equality
• Employment law considerations during recruitment
• Fair and objective recruitment practices
• Equality and non-discrimination
• Protected characteristics under Irish equality legislation
• Job advertisements and recruitment criteria
• Interviewing and selection risks
• Avoiding discriminatory decision-making
• Record keeping and recruitment documentation
Module 3 – Employment Contracts & Terms and Conditions
• Understanding the employment relationship
• Written terms and conditions
• Key information provided to employees
• Probationary periods
• Working hours and workplace expectations
• Changes to terms and conditions
• The importance of accurate employment records
• HR responsibilities in maintaining employment documentation
Module 4 – Working Time, Leave & Employee Entitlements
• Working time and rest requirements
• Annual leave
• Public holidays
• Sick leave and workplace absence
• Maternity-related and family-related leave
• Parental and other statutory leave
• Managing employee absences fairly
• Maintaining appropriate HR records
Module 5 – Equality, Dignity at Work & Workplace Behaviour
• Promoting equality in the workplace
• Discrimination and discriminatory treatment
• Harassment and sexual harassment
• Bullying and inappropriate workplace behaviour
• Employer responsibilities
• HR's role in responding to complaints
• Supporting dignity and respect at work
• The importance of policies, training, and early intervention
Module 6 – Performance, Conduct & Workplace Procedures
• Managing employee performance
• Distinguishing capability, performance, and conduct issues
• Informal and formal management approaches
• The importance of clear expectations
• Documentation and record keeping
• Supporting managers through difficult workplace conversations
• Consistency in decision-making
• Recognising when formal procedures may be required
Module 7 – Grievances, Disciplinary Matters & Fair Procedures
• Understanding grievance procedures
• Understanding disciplinary procedures
• Principles of natural justice
• Fair procedures
• Providing employees with an opportunity to respond
• Representation and communication
• Impartiality and consistency
• The importance of documentation
• Appeals and review processes
Module 8 – Workplace Investigations & Complaint Management
• When a workplace investigation may be required
• Planning an investigation
• Defining scope and terms of reference
• Gathering relevant information
• Interviewing relevant parties
• Confidentiality and appropriate record management
• Distinguishing investigation from disciplinary decision-making
• Preparing findings and reports
Module 9 – Ending the Employment Relationship
• Managing resignation
• Retirement considerations
• Fixed-term employment considerations
• Redundancy considerations
• Dismissal and fair procedures
• Notice requirements
• Documentation and communication
• Understanding when specialist advice may be required
Module 10 – Managing Employment Law Risk in HR
• Identifying common HR compliance risks
• Maintaining up-to-date policies and procedures
• The importance of management training
• Record keeping and documentation
• Consistent application of workplace procedures
• Escalating complex cases
• When to seek legal or specialist HR advice
• Embedding employment law awareness into everyday HR practice
Interactive Learning Activities
To make the e-learning practical and engaging, I recommend including:
• Scenario-based HR case studies
• Recruitment decision exercises
• "What would you do?" questions
• Equality and discrimination scenarios
• Performance management examples
• Grievance and disciplinary decision exercises
• Policy and procedure knowledge checks
• Employment law risk identification activities
• Short quizzes after each module
• Final knowledge assessment
Suggested Ongoing Case Studies
The course could follow several realistic workplace scenarios, such as:
• A recruitment and discrimination complaint
• An employee performance issue
• A bullying or dignity-at-work complaint
• A grievance involving a line manager
• An employee absence management issue
• A disciplinary matter
• A proposed termination or redundancy situation
These scenarios could reappear throughout the course to help learners apply the principles to realistic HR decisions.
Who the Course Is For
This course is suitable for:
• HR Managers
• HR Directors
• HR Business Partners
• HR Advisors
• HR Officers
• People and Culture Professionals
• Employee Relations Professionals
• Senior Managers with HR responsibilities
• Business Owners
• Managers responsible for people management
• Individuals moving into an HR role
The course is particularly suitable for organisations wishing to strengthen internal HR knowledge and improve consistency in people-related decision-making.
Why This Training Is Important
Reduce Employment Law Risk
Employment decisions can create significant organisational risk if they are inconsistent, poorly documented, discriminatory, or not managed through appropriate procedures.
Support Better HR Decision-Making
Understanding key employment law principles helps HR professionals identify risks earlier and support managers in making more informed decisions.
Promote Fair & Consistent Treatment
Clear knowledge of employment law supports consistent treatment of employees across recruitment, performance management, grievances, disciplinary matters, and other workplace processes.
Protect Employee Wellbeing
Fair workplace practices, respectful procedures, and appropriate management of employee concerns contribute to employee wellbeing, trust, and psychological safety.
Strengthen Organisational Compliance
The course helps organisations develop greater awareness of employment-related responsibilities and the importance of effective policies, procedures, training, and record keeping.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, learners should be able to:
• Understand key principles of Irish employment law relevant to HR
• Recognise common employment law risks
• Support fair recruitment and selection processes
• Understand key employment documentation requirements
• Recognise equality and workplace dignity issues
• Support the management of employee absence and leave
• Understand fair procedures in grievance and disciplinary matters
• Recognise when a workplace investigation may be required
• Support appropriate performance and conduct management
• Understand key considerations when employment ends
• Maintain appropriate HR records
• Identify when specialist legal or HR advice may be required
Course Format & Delivery
This programme is delivered through self-paced e-learning.
The course can include:
• Interactive learning modules
• Short explainer videos
• Scenario-based learning
• HR case studies
• Knowledge checks
• Interactive decision-making exercises
• Downloadable resources
• End-of-course assessment
Learners can complete the programme at their own pace within the organisation's designated access period.
Assessment
Module Knowledge Checks
Short quizzes and interactive activities can be included throughout the course to reinforce learning.
Final Assessment
The final assessment can include:
Multiple-choice questions
Scenario-based HR decisions
Employment law risk identification
Fair procedure questions
Equality and workplace practice scenarios
Suggested Pass Mark
80%
Learners can review relevant content and retake the assessment where required.
Irish Legislation Supported
The course can be developed with reference to key areas of Irish employment legislation and workplace guidance, including:
• Employment Equality Acts 1998–2015
• Terms of Employment (Information) Acts 1994–2014
• Organisation of Working Time Act 1997
• Workplace Relations Act 2015
• Industrial Relations Act 1990
• Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977–2015
• Redundancy Payments Acts 1967–2022
• Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts 1973–2005
• Maternity Protection Acts
• Parental Leave Acts
• Adoptive Leave Acts
• Carer's Leave Act 2001
• Sick Leave Act 2022
• Relevant Workplace Relations Commission Codes of Practice and guidance
Important: Employment law changes over time. For an e-learning programme, I recommend including a clear notice that course content should be reviewed periodically to reflect legislative developments and updated guidance.
Why Choose Samson Training
Since 2008, Samson Training has been delivering professional workplace training designed to support compliance, employee development, workplace wellbeing, and organisational performance.
Our Employment Law for HR E-Learning Course is designed to make complex workplace issues easier to understand by combining structured learning with practical HR scenarios.
Our approach focuses on:
• Practical HR situations
• Clear and accessible learning
• Irish workplace context
• Risk awareness and prevention
• Fair procedures and consistent decision-making
• Interactive scenario-based learning
• Flexible self-paced delivery
• Knowledge checks and assessment
We believe employment law training should form part of a wider HR capability, leadership development, employee wellbeing, risk management, and organisational culture strategy — rather than being treated as a one-off compliance exercise.
FAQ's
Who should complete Employment Law for HR training?
The course is suitable for HR professionals, HR managers, HR advisors, people managers, business owners, and anyone with responsibility for supporting employee relations and workplace procedures.
Is the course specific to Irish employment law?
Yes. The programme is designed around key areas of Irish employment law and relevant workplace guidance.
Is this course suitable for new HR professionals?
Yes. The course provides a structured overview of key employment law topics relevant to individuals starting or developing their HR careers.
Does the course cover disciplinary and grievance procedures?
Yes. Learners are introduced to key principles relating to grievance management, disciplinary procedures, fair procedures, natural justice, documentation, and employee communication.
Does the course cover equality and discrimination?
Yes. The course covers equality, discrimination risks, harassment, sexual harassment, and the importance of fair workplace practices.
Does the course cover workplace investigations?
Yes. The course includes an overview of when investigations may be required and the key principles involved in planning, gathering information, managing confidentiality, and reaching findings.
Does the course provide legal advice?
No. The course is designed to build employment law awareness and HR capability. Complex or high-risk employment matters may require specialist HR or legal advice.
How long does the course take?
Recommended duration: approximately 4–5 hours, divided into short self-paced modules with interactive activities and an end-of-course assessment.
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