Updates to Ireland’s maternity protection – postponement of leave for serious health issues

What is new?

New legislation in Ireland which came into force on 20 November 2024 allows employees to postpone all or part of their maternity leave while they are treated for a serious health condition which requires medical attention.

Key impacts

  • An employee can postpone their maternity leave for serious illness for up to 52 weeks while receiving treatment.
  • Serious illness includes both physical and mental health problems that pose a serious risk to life or health, necessitating ongoing medical intervention.
  • To postpone an employee must notify their employer in writing 2 weeks before the postponement period is due to commence. This notice must include the start and end date of the postponement alongside a medical certificate signed by a registered medical professional.
  • A further postponement notice can be submitted, subject to certain requirements being satisfied.
  • Employees are entitled to take all maternity leave that they have not taken – which commences on the day after the postponement period ends.

What does that mean for employers and what should they do now?

Employers must ensure that their maternity leave policies and processes are updated to comply with the new right to postpone law. Please get in touch with a member of the MDR ONE team if you require any support.

 

Article

Resource Centre

abstract glass building
Article

Introducing AI in the workplace in France

For the first time, a French court has addressed an employer's use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The court declared that the introduction of AI tools as a pilot phase, including the training of employees on how to use the tools, went further than mere 'experimentation' and triggered the requirement to consult with their works council beforehand.
View
Download

Data protection impact assessment checklist

This checklist is designed to guide you through the steps of conducting a DPIA, ensuring that you not only comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation but also integrate best practices into your data processing activities. It will assist you in determining when a DPIA is necessary, how to carry it out effectively, and what measures to take following the assessment.  
View
Article, Legal Updates

Poland: New additional leave for parents of premature babies or babies ill at birth

With effect from 19 March 2025, parents of babies born prematurely or newborns who must be hospitalised after birth due to health complications are entitled to additional leave.
View
Article

MDR ONE launches international privacy offering

This service is part of Mishcon de Reya's broader innovation offering and complements MDR ONE’s existing international employment law services. It offers centralised global privacy law support to multinational companies, empowering in-house counsel to manage their global legal operations effectively. This addition will enhance the MDR ONE proposition and provide a one-stop shop for global privacy support.
View
I'm looking for advice


Subscribe to our mailings


MDR ONE
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.