The ever-changing labour environment in Ireland presents numerous challenges to business. Increased diversity, integration of older workers, training issues and the next round of partnership negotiations are just some of the issues facing HR managers in the current business environment.

Chambers Ireland's Human Resources policy council aims to address HR issues from the employer  perspective . The council uses the findings of the annual Chambers Ireland Labour Force survey and the professional expertise of its members to gain insight on HR issues directly affecting business. It brings together specialists in the area of HR management from small, medium and large enterprises. Chaired by John Forde of Celtic Linen, the council is a forum for innovative approaches to HR issues.

Human Resources issues embracing labour relations, employment law, skills acquisition, flexible working arrangements, childcare, and female participation in the work force are key elements of the council"s agenda.

Immigration
At a presentation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise and Small Business, a Chambers Ireland delegation welcomed the Employment Permits Bill 2005 but noted that the Bill lacked a clear path to citizenship in the form of an option for permanent residency similar to that offered by the United States’ Green Card System. Chambers Ireland also called for an automatic provision of working visas for spouses and long term partners. 

Diversity
This year saw the completion of the Diversity At Work Network (DAWN) - a two-year initiative to promote intercultural awareness among employers. DAWN was carried out in partnership with the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism and the Institute of Technology in Blanchardstown.

Older Workers
Chambers Ireland launched  a handbook for employers  entitled Best Practice of Employment of Older Workers handbook in 2005.  The aim of the handbook, is to provide practical advice for employers who either currently employ or are seeking to recruit older workers covering such areas as barriers to participation, responding to the needs of older workers, a guide to age equality legislation, recruitment, selection, training and development. 

Research
Chambers Ireland’s Labour Force Survey 2006 is to be published in early 2006.  The annual survey will examine the health of the Irish Labour Market but will also specifically examine issues relating to the employment of older workers.

Social Partnership
The results of agreements made under social partnership increasingly affect chamber members through legislative rather than industrial relations channels. There is a worrying tendency for such provisions to address concerns of larger employers in urban areas with insufficient regard to the needs of small business in the rest of the country. The HR Council will provide strategic advice to Chambers Ireland in the lead up to the next round of social partnership negotiations as well as inputs into the impact analysis of any future agreement.    

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