How to Make a Complaint/Refer a Dispute

Please click on the above link to visit the Workplace Relations Commission eComplaint Portal.

Alternatively, you can access the PDF version of the Workplace Relations Commission Complaint form and relevant information by clicking on the following link How to Make a Complaint/Refer a Dispute (PDF)

Please read the following additional notes before continuing with your application.

Note 1 — You should note that the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) will send a copy of the complaint or dispute to the other party (the employer or service provider) where you have opted to have the matter dealt with by an Adjudication Officer and all relevant correspondence sent to the WRC by either party will be copied to the other party to the complaint.

Note 2 — Before a complaint under Equal Status legislation is presented/referred, there is a legal requirement that the person/organisation/company against whom you are considering making a complaint is notified in writing of the alleged discriminatory act. For further details of the written notification requirement, please see the section 'Making a Complaint Under the Equal Status Acts' on the Equal Status page

The Complaint Form should not be used for the following:

• Appealing against a Decision made by a Workplace Relations Commission Adjudication Officer— please see the 'Appeals' section of this website for the appropriate form
• Referring a collective dispute to the Labour Court or the Workplace Relations Commission’s Conciliation Services
• Seeking Enforcement of a decision made by a Workplace Relations Commission Adjudication Officer where the employer has not fully complied with the terms of the decision — please see the 'Enforcing Decisions on Complaints/Disputes' page
• Seeking information from the Workplace Relations Commission or Labour Court — please use the online 'Contact Us' form
• Making a referral to the Labour Court under Section 20(1) or Section 20(2) of the Industrial Relations Acts 1969

On receipt of the Complaint/Dispute, the Workplace Relations Commission will acknowledge receipt and, in the case of complaints/disputes which fall to be dealt with by means of adjudication, will forward details of the complaint to the Employer/Respondent. Complaints/disputes which fall to be investigated by means of inspection and associated enquiries will be referred to the Commission's Inspection Services.

In certain cases, the Workplace Relations Commission may offer a mediation service in order to facilitate attempts at a resolution of the issues at hand, without recourse to formal adjudication. Mediation may only be offered where both parties consent - otherwise the complaint or dispute will be referred to an Adjudication Officer. Note that the Complaint Form asks Complainants to indicate if they would be willing to avail of mediation services to facilitate the resolution of the complaint/dispute should the Workplace Relations Commission be in a position to offer these services in their case.

The table below summarises the resolution options/services available for dealing with complaints/disputes. You may use the links in the left hand column to view further information.