Ireland

Working pattern

An employee is not allowed to work on average for more than 48 hours per week. This does not mean they are not allowed to work more than 48 hours in a week, but they must not exceed this average. The average is calculated over the following time periods:

• 4 months
• 6 months: for employees working in; agriculture, airports, docks, electricity, gas, hospitals, prisons, security, or in a business that has peak periods, like tourism
• 12 months: must have been agreed between the employer and employee and must be approved by the Labour Court

Annual leave

Employees are entitled to paid annual leave depending on their working times;

• 4 working weeks: If the employee has worked at least 1,365 hours
• One-third of a working week: For each month in a leave year that the employee has worked at least 117 hours
• 8% of hours worked: In a leave year (maximum leave allowance of 4 working weeks)

Employers must decide when annual leave may be taken. They must take into consideration the employees’ family responsibilities and the opportunities available to the employee for rest and recreation.

Maternity and paternity leave