IrelandI work Sunday but don't get extra pay. Is this legal?
Yes, it is legal in Ireland for employers not to pay extra for Sunday work — the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 does not require premium pay for Sundays.
What the Law Says
The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 sets out rules on working hours, rest periods, and holidays — but it does not require employers to pay extra for Sunday work.
Section 14 of the Act deals with 'premium payments' — but it does not mandate additional pay for Sunday work. Instead, it allows employers and employees to agree on premium rates (e.g., higher hourly rates) in their contract or collective agreement — but such payments are voluntary, not compulsory.
The law guarantees certain rights like daily and weekly rest, maximum average working week (48 hours), and paid annual leave — but Sunday work is treated like any other working day unless otherwise agreed.
If your employment contract or a registered employment agreement (REA) specifies Sunday premium pay, then your employer must honour it. But in the absence of such an agreement, no extra pay is legally required.
Statutory TextNothing in this Part shall be construed as requiring an employer to make a premium payment to an employee in respect of work done by the employee on a Sunday.
— Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, s. 14 — Premium payments
What to Do
Check your written contract or collective agreement for any Sunday premium clause.
Review any applicable Registered Employment Agreement (REA) or Sectoral Employment Order (SEO).
If extra pay was promised but not paid, raise it with your employer in writing.
Contact the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) if you believe a contractual or statutory right has been breached.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.