How to File a WRC Complaint in Ireland

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is Ireland's independent body for resolving employment disputes. If you believe your employment rights have been breached — whether unfair dismissal, unpaid wages, discrimination, or working time violations — you can file a complaint online, free of charge. This guide explains the process.

Types of complaints the WRC handles

The WRC has jurisdiction under dozens of employment Acts. The most common types of complaints include:

Unfair dismissal — under the Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977–2015 (requires 12 months' continuous service with most employers)
Payment of wages — unpaid wages, unlawful deductions, under the Payment of Wages Act 1991
Minimum wage — failure to pay the National Minimum Wage
Discrimination — discrimination in employment on nine grounds (gender, civil status, family status, age, disability, race, sexual orientation, religion, Traveller community) under the Employment Equality Acts 1998–2015
Working time — breaches of maximum working hours, rest breaks, annual leave under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997
Redundancy — disputes about entitlement to or calculation of redundancy payments
Terms of employment — failure to provide a written statement of employment terms within 5 days (from March 2024)

Time limits for filing

Time limits are strict. For most Acts, you must file your complaint within 6 months of the date of the last contravention. An extension to 12 months may be granted where the adjudicator is satisfied that reasonable cause exists for the delay — but this is not guaranteed.

The clock typically starts from the date of dismissal, the date of the last unlawful deduction, the last day of discrimination, etc. Don't delay — if you're close to the 6-month limit, file the complaint first and gather evidence afterwards.

How to file a WRC complaint

Go to workplacerelations.ie and navigate to "Submit a Complaint"
Complete the online complaint form — you'll need the employer's name and address, your employment dates, and the specific Act(s) you're claiming under
Submit the form — no fee applies to any WRC complaint
You'll receive an acknowledgement and a reference number
The employer will be notified and invited to respond

Mediation

Before proceeding to adjudication, the WRC may offer mediation — a confidential, voluntary process where a WRC mediator helps both sides reach a settlement. Mediation is free and usually faster than adjudication. Either party can decline mediation.

The adjudication hearing

If the complaint is not resolved through mediation, it proceeds to an adjudication hearing. The hearing is conducted by a WRC Adjudication Officer and is generally open to the public (unless the officer directs otherwise). Both parties present evidence and may be questioned.

You can represent yourself, or be represented by a trade union, solicitor, or another person (with the adjudicator's permission).

Possible outcomes and awards

The Adjudication Officer issues a written decision. Common remedies include reinstatement, re-engagement, or financial compensation. For unfair dismissal, the maximum award is 2 years' remuneration. For discrimination, the maximum is €40,000 (or 2 years' remuneration in employment cases).

Both parties can appeal the decision to the Labour Court within 42 days. The Labour Court decision is final on the facts; further appeal on a point of law lies to the High Court.