Threat of perjury a ‘seismic change’ to employment dispute hearings

Serious penalties being introduced for false testimony have had a significant effect on proceedings

There is now a threat of a criminal offence of perjury for providing an employment hearing with false testimony, which is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment. Picture: Getty

The introduction of serious penalties for delivering false testimony in an employment dispute hearing has increased the gravitas of the proceedings, a leading legal figure has said.

Gwendolen Morgan, head of legal services for the Workplace Relations Commission, said the requirement for certain evidence to be given on oath and the threat of perjury for the delivery of false testimony has been a “seismic change”.

She was referring to the introduction of two new pieces ...