Joint Employment Agreement Template for Ireland

When you work for multiple employers or manage employees across different entities in Ireland, you need a Joint Employment Agreement to establish clear legal boundaries and responsibilities. This document creates a formal framework that defines how multiple employers share employment duties while ensuring compliance with Irish employment legislation.

When do you need this document?

You require a Joint Employment Agreement when an employee provides services to multiple companies within a group structure, when professional services firms share staff across different practices, or when employees work through employment agencies while maintaining relationships with client companies. This arrangement is also common in shared service centers where employees support multiple business units, consultancy arrangements where staff work across different client entities, and situations involving Professional Employer Organizations that manage HR functions while employees work for operating companies.

Key legal considerations

The agreement must clearly allocate employer responsibilities between all parties to avoid confusion about liability and obligations. You need to specify which employer handles payroll, benefits administration, disciplinary procedures, and health and safety compliance. Work allocation clauses should define how duties are distributed and managed across employers, while remuneration provisions must establish who pays what portions of salary and benefits. The document should address confidentiality obligations that may arise from working across multiple entities, intellectual property rights for work created in the joint arrangement, and termination procedures that protect all parties' interests. Insurance and indemnification clauses are crucial to protect against potential liability issues that could arise from the shared employment relationship.

Legal requirements in Ireland

Under the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018, you must provide employees with core terms of employment within five days of starting work, which is particularly important in joint arrangements where responsibilities are shared. The Terms of Employment (Information) Acts 1994-2014 require written statements clearly defining each employer's role and the employee's terms with both entities. You must comply with the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 when coordinating work schedules and leave entitlements across multiple employers, ensuring that combined working hours don't exceed legal limits. The Payment of Wages Act 1991 governs payment responsibilities and requires clear agreement on which employer handles salary payments and deductions. Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 protections apply to both employer relationships, meaning you must ensure equal treatment and non-discrimination across all aspects of the joint employment arrangement.