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Ireland
Employment Guide & Cultural Intelligence
Overview
Capital
Dublin
Currency
EUR
Language
English, Irish
Time Zone
UTC+0 (GMT)
GDP per Capita
$100,170
Work Week
39 hours
Employment Basics
| Standard Work Week | 39 hours |
| Notice Period | 1 to 8 weeks based on tenure |
| Probation Period | 6 months |
| Overtime Rules | No statutory right to overtime pay; governed by contract |
| Termination Rules | Unfair dismissal protection after 12 months; redundancy payments after 2 years |
| Minimum Wage | €12.70/hr |
Statutory Benefits
20
Annual Leave Days
10
Public Holidays
30
Total Paid Days Off
| Parental Leave | 26 weeks maternity, 2 weeks paternity, 7 weeks parent's leave |
| Sick Leave | 3 days paid statutory sick leave |
Employer Cost Summary
11%
Employer Tax/Contribution Rate
| Mandatory Insurance | Employer PRSI contribution (~11.05%) |
| Retirement/Pension | State pension; auto-enrollment scheme upcoming |
| Healthcare | Public healthcare; private insurance common as benefit |
Cultural Intelligence
Communication Style
Friendly, humorous, indirect at times
Hierarchy
Relatively flat; approachable management style
Meeting Norms
Relaxed but professional; relationship-building valued
Negotiation Approach
Personable, pragmatic, win-win oriented
Gift Giving
Modest gifts acceptable; not expected in business
Taboos
Avoid comparing Ireland to the UK; respect local customs
Hiring Tips
1
Ireland is a major hub for tech and pharma multinationals
2
Employer PRSI is the main statutory employment cost
3
Employment permits needed for non-EEA workers with specific categories
4
English-speaking talent pool attracts international companies
5
WRC (Workplace Relations Commission) handles employment disputes
Quick Facts
- Work Week 39 hrs
- Annual Leave 20 days
- Public Holidays 10
- Employer Burden 11%
- Probation 6 months
- Currency EUR