Conversations across the pond: US and Irish employment law

In the third episode of Conversations across the pond, Eversheds Sutherland’s Bonnie Burke and Emma Quinn discuss the use of offer letters and employment agreements in the US and Ireland. They explore the key differences and similarities between US and Irish employment law regarding these documents, highlighting that offer letters in Ireland are often brief, focusing on high-level terms like salary and benefits. In the US, the documents tend to be more comprehensive and detailed, sometimes serving as a complete employment document. Both Bonnie and Emma explain the legal requirements and common practices for including important clauses such as confidentiality, restrictive covenants, and probationary periods in offer letters and employment agreements. They emphasize the importance of clearly addressing these legal issues, if applicable, in employment documents to protect both employers and employees.