My employer changed my terms without agreement.

What the Law Says

The Payment of Wages Act 1991 protects employees from unauthorised deductions from wages — and by extension, from unilateral changes to pay or other core contractual terms that reduce entitlements without consent.

Under Irish law, your employment contract is a binding agreement. Any change to its terms — such as salary, hours, duties, or location — requires your free and informed agreement. Your employer cannot impose changes simply by giving notice.

Section 5 of the Payment of Wages Act 1991 specifically prohibits deductions from wages unless they are required or authorised by statute, permitted by or under a term of the contract, or agreed to in writing by the employee before the deduction is made.

While the Act focuses on wage deductions, courts and the Workplace Relations Commission treat unilateral reductions in pay or adverse changes to remuneration-related terms as unlawful deductions — unless you have clearly consented in writing.

Statutory Text

An employer shall not make a deduction from the wages of an employee except— (a) where the deduction is required or authorised by statute, (b) where the deduction is permitted by or under a term of the employee's contract of employment, or (c) where the employee has given prior written consent to the deduction.

— Payment of Wages Act 1991, s. 5 — Prohibition of unauthorised deductions

What to Do

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