Changes to employment law, the benefits of workplace wellness, tax-efficient company pensions and looming auto-enrolment obligations were the focus of the recent “Take A Leap” event for business owners, HR professionals and finance managers at the Salthill Hotel in Galway on 28 September.
The event was hosted by a trio of Galway-based business support specialists, human resource consultants GHR Consulting, corporate wellness trainers MindEd, and Hennelly Finance financial advisors.
Ruari Guckain and Terrence Morgan of GHR Consulting discussed the latest changes to employment law in Ireland, how they affect workforces, and what they mean for employers.
MindEd’s corporate wellbeing trainer Breda Kyne used neuroscience-backed research to demonstrate how employee wellness is crucial to enhancing performance and retention.
Ruth Hennelly, Director and employee benefits specialist at Hennelly Finance, shared insight into tax efficient pensions and employee benefits that help attract and retain talent at a time when organisations nationwide are struggling to fill job vacancies.
She also explained what organisations need to do to get ready for the government’s new auto-enrolment scheme, due for implementation in the second half of 2024.
Ms Hennelly said the “Take A Leap” event was an opportunity for people with responsibility for employees to learn about their current legal obligations and explore opportunities to go beyond compliance to achieve better organisational outcomes.
“HR professionals continually tell us talent attraction and retention is their number one challenge in today’s competitive business environment,” Ms Hennelly said.
“Research shows organisations that prioritise their employees’ financial, physical and mental health and wellbeing, and provide a robust and supportive HR environment, not only stand to position themselves as employers of choice, but also witness tangible improvements in their bottom line.”
Ms Hennelly said organisations should act now to get ready for auto-enrolment in 2024 to ensure they have the right scheme in place to suit their organisation and employees’ needs.
Guests at the event enjoyed prosecco and light bites on arrival and took advantage of important business networking opportunities.
