The Independent Review of Contractor Fees, Human Resources (HR) and Other Matters at RTÉ, spearheaded by employment relations specialist, Brendan McGinty, has outlined 26 recommendations. Recommendations include introducing financial restrictions on severance packages for exiting employees, establishing pay ranges for current on-air talent, and making public the personal interests and expenses of top-tier executives. Recent controversies have arisen over the severance package compensation of former RTÉ executives.
Moving forward, the report suggests that severance and early retirement plans proposed for RTÉ must first receive formal board approval, incorporating financial or formula caps into their calculations. The broadcaster has also been encouraged to revisit their payment policy for presenters and establish pay bands accordingly.
A further recommendation was to disclose the expenses and total remuneration involving salaries, gifts, and hospitality, in addition to declarations of personal interests for executives earning €200,000 or more annually. RTÉ was found to have made close to 1,100 separate allowances for employees, with the report suggesting an urgent review of this system due to its unclear elements and lack of justifications in some cases.
The review was also undertaken by Patricia King, former general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, and Liam Kelly, former director general of the Workplace Relations Commission. Amid controversy about erroneous self-employment cases, where workers are classified as self-employed despite displaying the traits of employees. The review recognises the progress made with ongoing investigations by the Department of Social Protection’s (DSP) scope section.
The report also indicates the necessity for RTÉ to maintain engagement with short-term contractors and independent contractors to ensure the accurate recognition of their employments status. The broadcaster and DSP are advised to increase their interaction.
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) commented the comprehensive and complex review of HR practices and contracts.
Séamus Dooley, the Irish secretary, has vocalised the National Union of Journalists’ longstanding call for equal treatment for all staff at every level, both off and on air. He emphasised that detailed discussions would be required on introducing new salary frameworks, as the employment terms and conditions are regulated by collective agreements and governed by contracts.
Additionally, Mr Dooley addressed the persistent issue of false self-employment at RTÉ, with the HR review providing a strategic guide on dealing with this matter expeditiously.
Terence O’Rourke, the chair of RTÉ’s management, supported the findings from three reviews put forth by the Government and in principle, agreed with all of the proposed recommendations.