Called for jury duty? It’s a legal obligation — and Irish law protects your job and your pay while you serve.
Your rights
- Under the Juries Act 1976, employees called to jury service are entitled to time off with no loss of pay — your employer cannot dock wages or make you take annual leave for it.
- The time counts as if you were at work for employment-rights purposes (service, leave accrual).
- This applies to HSE staff like any other employee; the HSE records it as jury service leave.
What to do when the summons arrives
- Tell your line manager immediately and show the summons — rosters need cover, especially in clinical areas.
- Complete form HR108h from the official HSE HR forms page so the absence is recorded correctly (not as annual or unpaid leave).
- Ask the court for an attendance certificate for your records if needed.
See our guide to every HSE HR form and the full leave entitlements guide.