It is important to prioritize self-care and find ways to manage stress in order to avoid burnout and maintain your well-being.
Leave
Generous leave entitlements
In Ireland, doctors are entitled to annual leave and sick leave. The amount of annual leave you are entitled to will depend on your contract and length of service. As a general guideline, doctors are entitled to at least four weeks of paid annual leave per year, in addition to public holidays.
Leave FAQs
As a general guideline, doctors in Ireland are entitled to paid sick leave in accordance with their contract of employment. The amount of sick leave you are entitled to will depend on your contract and length of service. It is important to check your contract and speak to your employer for more information on sick leave entitlements.
If you need to take sick leave, you should inform your employer as soon as possible and provide any necessary documentation, such as a medical certificate. Your emplover may also have specific procedures in place for reporting sick leave and returning to work after a period of illness. It is important to follow these procedures to ensure that you are meeting your obligations as an employee and that you are receiving the appropriate support during your period of illness.
In the past, you had no legal right to be paid while you were on sick leave from work.
Since 1 January 2023, you have a right to 3 days’ sick pay a year. This is called statutory sick pay (that means the legal minimum). Sick pay is paid by your employer at 70% of your normal pay up to a maximum of €110 a day.
You must be an employee and be working at least 13 weeks with your employer before you can get statutory sick pay.
Your employer can have a more generous sick pay scheme, but they can't give you less than the statutory amount.
What is the new Statutory Sick Pay scheme (SSP)?
The Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the legal minimum sick pay.
The entitlement to paid sick leave is being phased in over 4 years:
- 2023 - 3 days covered
- 2024 - 5 days covered
- 2025 - 7 days covered
- 2026 - 10 days covered
Further details
The amount of maternity leave you are entitled to will depend on your contract and length of service. As a general guideline, female employees are entitled to 26 weeks of maternity leave, with the option to take an additional 16 weeks of unpaid maternity leave. During maternity leave, you may also be entitled to maternity pay or maternity benefit, depending on your circumstances. It is important to check your contract and speak to your employer for more information on maternity leave entitlements.
In Ireland, fathers and partners are entitled to paternity leave when their child is born or adopted. As of 2021, the entitlement to paternity leave is 2 weeks. During paternity leave, you may be entitled to Paternity Benefit from the Department of Social Protection, subject to meeting certain eligibility criteria. It is important to check your contract and speak to your employer for more information on paternity leave entitlements.
Flexible Training
In Ireland, there are several flexible training options available for doctors who wish to further their careers. These training options include flexible training schemes, part-time training, and career breaks. Flexible training schemes are designed to accommodate doctors who have personal or professional commitments that make full-time training difficult. Part-time training allows doctors to continue their education while also maintaining a work-life balance.
Career breaks can be taken for a variety of reasons, such as personal or family commitments, and can last anywhere from a few months to a few years. These training options can help doctors achieve their career goals while also accommodating their personal and professional needs.
Working hours
Less than full time working
In Ireland, there are several options available for doctors who wish to work less than full-time. These options include flexible training schemes, part-time training, and career breaks.
Flexible training schemes are designed to accommodate doctors who have personal or professional commitments that make full-time training difficult. These schemes allow doctors to work less than full-time while still completing their training and progressing in their careers. Part-time training is another option for doctors who wish to work less than full-time. This option allows doctors to continue their education while also maintaining a work-life balance.
Career breaks can also be taken for a variety of reasons, such as personal or family commitments. These breaks can last anywhere from a few months to a few years and allow doctors to take time off work while still maintaining their position and seniority.
It is important to note that working less than full-time may have an impact on your pay, benefits, and career progression. However, these options can provide greater flexibility and work-life balance for doctors who need it. If you are considering working less than full-time, it is important to discuss your options with your employer and seek advice on how to balance your personal and professional.
Reasonable working hours
In Ireland, there are regulations in place to ensure that employees, including doctors, are not required to work excessive hours. The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 sets out the maximum number of hours that employees can work per week, as well as rest periods and breaks. Under this act, the maximum average working week for doctors is 48 hours, although there are some exceptions for certain specialties and circumstances. Additionally, doctors are entitled to rest periods and breaks during their shifts.
It is important to note that working as a doctor can be demanding and stressful, and it is not uncommon for doctors to work long hours or be on call outside of their regular working hours.
However, it is important for employers to prioritize the well-being of their employees and ensure that they are not being overworked or subjected to unreasonable working hours. If you feel that your working hours are excessive or unreasonable, it is important to discuss your concerns with your employer and seek support if necessary.