Biography
Dr. Michelle O'Sullivan's expertise is primarily on quality of work and precarious work with particular attention on public policy. Her research has investigated zero hours work, low wage service sector jobs and wage setting in low paid jobs. Michelle's other research interests include trade unions, collective action, employee voice and silence, migrant workers, dispute resolution, workplace bullying and employment law. She has published widely including in the British Journal of Industrial Relations, Economic and Industrial Democracy, Industrial Relations Journal and the Industrial Law Journal. She is co-author of Industrial Relations in Ireland (2020), the primary textbook on industrial relations, co-editor of Zero Hours and On-Call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries (2019) and co-editor of Are Trade Unions Still Relevant? Union Recognition 100 Years On (2013). Her primary teaching interests are in industrial relations and dispute resolution skills in employment. She is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Journal of Industrial Relations.
Michelle is Chair of the Irish Association for Industrial Relations, Co-Chair of the Work, Employment and Organisation Special Interest Group in the Irish Academy of Management, is a member of the Board of Directors of TASC and the Scientific Council of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies. She was a Board Member of the Workplace Relations Commission from 2015-2021.
Research Interests
Institutional regulation of industrial relations; precarious work; workplace technology, migrant labour; minimum wage regulation; employment law; trade unions, employer organisations, workplace bullying, state dispute resolution bodies, workplace dispute resolution, civil society organisations
Professional Activities
Education
- 2022 Northumbria University - Master of Laws Employment Law in Practice
- 2007 Law Society of Ireland - Diploma in Employment Law
- 2005 University of Limerick - Ph.D.
- 2000 University of Limerick - Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration
Association
- 2011 Council Member and Website Administrator , Irish Academy of Management
- Chair, Irish Association for Industrial Relations
- Academic Member, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
- Member, Irish Labour History Society
Award
- 2010 - Irish Academy of Management Conference Best paper, Industrial Relations
Publications
Books
Industrial Relations in Ireland
Wallace, J., Gunnigle, P., O'Sullivan, M.
(2020)
Industrial Relations in Ireland
Dublin :
IPA
Industrial Relations in Ireland
Wallace, J; Gunnigle, P; McMahon, G; O'Sullivan, M
(2013)
Industrial Relations in Ireland
Dublin :
Gill and Macmillan
Book Chapters
Legislation: A Double-Edged Sword in Union Resistance to Zero Hours Work the Case of Ireland
Mac Mahon, J., Ryan, L., O'Sullivan, M., Lavelle, J., Murphy, C., O'Brien, M., Turner, T. and Gunnigle, P.
(2021)
Legislation: A Double-Edged Sword in Union Resistance to Zero Hours Work the Case of Ireland
In Working in the Context of Austerity: Challenges and Struggles;
Donna Baines and Ian Cunningham(Ed.)
Bristol :
Bristol University Press
A Divided Workforce: Zero Hours Work at Sports Direct
O'Sullivan, M.
(2020)
A Divided Workforce: Zero Hours Work at Sports Direct
In Case Studies in Work, Employment and Human Resource Management;
T. Dundon, A. Wilkinson(Ed.)
UK :
Edward Elgar
Zero Hours Work in Ireland
Murphy, C., Lavelle, J., Turner, T., Ryan, L., McMahon, J., O'Sullivan, M., O'Brien, M., Gunnigle, P.
(2019)
Zero Hours Work in Ireland
In Zero Hours and On-call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries;
O'Sullivan, M., Lavelle, J., McMahon, J., Ryan, L., Murphy, C., Turner, T., Gunnigle, P.(Ed.)
Singapore :
Springer
Zero Hours and On-call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries: A Comparative Review
Michelle OSullivan
(2019)
Zero Hours and On-call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries: A Comparative Review
In Zero Hours and On-call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries;
O'Sullivan, M., Lavelle, J., McMahon, J., Ryan, L., Murphy, C., Turner, T. and Gunnigle, P.(Ed.)
Singapore :
Springer
Introduction to Zero Hours and On-call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries
Michelle OSullivan
(2019)
Introduction to Zero Hours and On-call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries
In Zero Hours and On-call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries;
O'Sullivan, M., Lavelle, J., McMahon, J., Ryan, L., Murphy, C., Turner, T. and Gunnigle, P.(Ed.)
Singapore :
Springer
Curbing Bogus Self-employment
Michelle O'Sullivan
(2019)
Curbing Bogus Self-employment
In Ensuring Good Future Jobs;
A. Lajoie, G. Irvine, S. Cohen(Ed.)
Dublin :
TASC
Managing the Employment Relationship
Michelle O'Sullivan
(2018)
Managing the Employment Relationship
In Human Resource Management: A Concise Introduction;
UK :
Palgrave Macmillan
Zero Hours Work and the Role of the Law in Ireland'
McMahon, J., O'Sullivan, M., Turner, T., Ryan, L., Lavelle, J., Murphy, C., O'Brien, M. and Gunnigle, P
(2017)
Zero Hours Work and the Role of the Law in Ireland'
In The New Foundations of Labour law;
Frankfurt, germany :
Peter Lang
Managing the Employment Relationship
O'Sullivan, M
(2013)
Managing the Employment Relationship
In Human Resource Management;
Basingstoke :
Palgrave Macmillan
Still a Struggle? Union Recognition a Hundred Years On
Thomas Turner, Daryl D'Art, Michelle O'Sullivan
(2013)
Still a Struggle? Union Recognition a Hundred Years On
In Are Trade Unions Still Relevant? Union Recognition One Hundred Years On;
Dublin :
Orpen Press
Introduction: The Continuing Relevance of Trade Unions
D'Art, D., Turner, T., O'Sullivan, M
(2013)
Introduction: The Continuing Relevance of Trade Unions
In Are Trade Unions Still Relevant: Trade Union Recognition One Hundred Years On;
Dublin :
Orpen Press
Union Avoidance in Europe's Largest Low Cost Airline
O'Sullivan, M.; Gunnigle, P.
(2013)
Union Avoidance in Europe's Largest Low Cost Airline
In Are Trade Unions still Relevant? Union Recognition 100 Years On;
Dublin :
Orpen Press
Bullying in Healthcare Organizations
MacMahon, J; MacCurtain, S; O'Sullivan M
(2009)
Bullying in Healthcare Organizations
In Culture and Climate in Health Care Organizations;
uk :
Palgrave Macmillan.
uk
Contemporary strike trends since 1980: Peering through the wrong end of a telescope
Wallace J.;O'Sullivan M.
(2006)
Contemporary strike trends since 1980: Peering through the wrong end of a telescope
In Global Industrial Relations;
DOI: 10.4324/9780203970195
Employment Relations in the Hospitality Sector
Wallace, J; Wallace, J; O'Sullivan, M
(2006)
Employment Relations in the Hospitality Sector
In Hospitality Management in Ireland: Theory and Practice;
Dublin :
Blackhall Publishing.
Dublin
Contemporary Strike Trends Since 1980: Peering Through the Wrong End of the Telescope
Wallace, J; O'Sullivan, M
(2006)
Contemporary Strike Trends Since 1980: Peering Through the Wrong End of the Telescope
In Global Industrial Relations;
The Industrial Relations Act 1990: A Critical Review
Wallace, J; O'Sullivan, M
(2002)
The Industrial Relations Act 1990: A Critical Review
In Irish Employment Relations in the New Economy;
Organised Labour in the New Economy: Trade Unions and Public Policy in the Republic of Ireland
Gunnigle, P; O'Sullivan, M; Kinsella, M
(2002)
Organised Labour in the New Economy: Trade Unions and Public Policy in the Republic of Ireland
In Irish Employment Relations in the New Economy;
Ireland: The Contribution of the Services Sector to the Irish Employment Miracle
Dineen, DA; Wallace, J; O'Sullivan, M
(2001)
Ireland: The Contribution of the Services Sector to the Irish Employment Miracle
In At Your Service? Comparative Perspectives on Employment and Labour Relations in the European Private Sector Services;
Edited Books
Zero Hours and On-call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries
(2019)
Zero Hours and On-call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries
O'Sullivan, M., Lavelle, J., McMahon, J., Ryan, L., Murphy, C., Turner, T. and Gunnigle, P.(Ed.)
Singapore :
Springer
DOI: https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9789811366123
Are Trade Unions Still Relevant? Union Recognition 100 Years On
(2013)
Are Trade Unions Still Relevant? Union Recognition 100 Years On
Turner, T., D'Art, D., O'Sullivan, M.(Ed.)
Dublin :
Orpen
Peer Reviewed Journals
Gender Differences in Solo Self-employment: Gendered Flexibility and the Effects of Parenthood
Bari, L., Turner, T., O'Sullivan M.
(2021)
Gender Differences in Solo Self-employment: Gendered Flexibility and the Effects of Parenthood
In Gender, Work & Organisation;
Employer-led flexibility, working time uncertainty, and trade union responses: The case of academics, teachers and school secretaries in Ireland
O'Sullivan, M., Lavelle, J., Turner, T., McMahon, J., Murphy, C. ., Ryan, L., Gunnigle, P.
(2021)
Employer-led flexibility, working time uncertainty, and trade union responses: The case of academics, teachers and school secretaries in Ireland
In Journal Of Industrial Relations;
DOI: /doi.org/10.1177/0022185620960198
Running to stand still? Two decades of trade union activity in the Irish long-term care sector
Murphy, C. and O'Sullivan, M.
(2021)
Running to stand still? Two decades of trade union activity in the Irish long-term care sector
In Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research;
[ULIR]
'It's not us, it's you!': Extending managerial control through coercion and internalization in the context of workplace bullying amongst nurses in Ireland'
McMahon, J., O'Sullivan, M, MacCurtain, S., Murphy, C. and Ryan, L.
(2021)
'It's not us, it's you!': Extending managerial control through coercion and internalization in the context of workplace bullying amongst nurses in Ireland'
In Societies;
[ULIR]
'The Role of the State in Shaping Zero Hours Work in an Atypical Liberal Market Economy'
O'Sullivan, M., Turner, T., Lavelle, J., MacMahon, J., Ryan, L., Murphy, C., Gunnigle, P. and O'Brien, M.
(2020)
'The Role of the State in Shaping Zero Hours Work in an Atypical Liberal Market Economy'
In Economic And Industrial Democracy;
[ULIR]
Does union membership matter? Political participation, attachment to democracy and generational change
Thomas Turner, Lorraine Ryan, Michelle O'Sullivan
(2020)
Does union membership matter? Political participation, attachment to democracy and generational change
In European Journal Of Industrial Relations;
UK :
DOI: doi.org/10.1177/0959680119844926
The Same But Different: Regulating Zero Hours Work in Two Liberal Market Economies
Ryan, L., MacMahon, J., O'Sullivan, M., Turner, T., Lavelle, J., Murphy, C., O'Brien, M., and Gunnigle, P.
(2019)
The Same But Different: Regulating Zero Hours Work in Two Liberal Market Economies
In Irish Journal Of Management;
DOI: 10.2478/ijm-2019-0002
Defining and Regulating Zero Hours Work: Lessons from a Liberal Market Economy
Ryan, L. MacMahon, J., Lavelle, J., O'Sullivan, M., Turner, T., Murphy, C., O'Brien, M. and Gunnigle, P.
(2019)
Defining and Regulating Zero Hours Work: Lessons from a Liberal Market Economy
In Nordic Journal of Working Life Studies;
[ULIR]
Trade Union Responses to zero hours work in Ireland.
Murphy, C., Turner, T., O'Sullivan, M., MacMahon, J., Lavelle, J., Ryan, L., Gunnigle, P., & O'Brien,
(2019)
Trade Union Responses to zero hours work in Ireland.
In Industrial Relations Journal;
Speaking up or staying silent in bullying situations: the significance of management control
McMahon, J., O'Sullivan, M., Murphy, C., Ryan, L., MacCurtain, S.
(2018)
Speaking up or staying silent in bullying situations: the significance of management control
In Industrial Relations Journal;
DOI: doi.org/10.1111/irj.12230
Skating on thin ICE? A critical evaluation of a decade of research on the British Information and Consultation Regulations (2004)
Butler, P,Lavelle, J,Gunnigle, P,O'Sullivan, M
(2018)
Skating on thin ICE? A critical evaluation of a decade of research on the British Information and Consultation Regulations (2004)
In Economic And Industrial Democracy;
DOI: 10.1177/0143831X15610205
To Stand Up or Step Back, Exploring the Responses of Employees Who Observe Workplace Bullying
MacCurtain, S, Murphy, C, MacMahon, J and O'Sullivan, M.
(2018)
To Stand Up or Step Back, Exploring the Responses of Employees Who Observe Workplace Bullying
In Nursing inquiry;
Editorial
Cross, C,O'Sullivan, M
(2017)
Editorial
In Irish Journal Of Management;
DOI: 10.1515/ijm-2017-0014
Employee Voice and Silence in Auditing Firms
Donovan, S., O'Sullivan, M., Doyle, E., Garvey, J.
(2016)
Employee Voice and Silence in Auditing Firms
In Employee Relations;
[ULIR]
Is Individual Employment Law Displacing the Role of Trade Unions?
O'Sullivan, M,Turner, T,Kennedy, M,Wallace, J
(2015)
Is Individual Employment Law Displacing the Role of Trade Unions?
In Industrial Law Journal;
DOI: 10.1093/indlaw/dwv010
[ULIR]
Does Union Membership Benefit Immigrant Workers: Evidence from Ireland
Turner, T., Cross, C., O'Sullivan, M.
(2014)
Does Union Membership Benefit Immigrant Workers: Evidence from Ireland
In Journal Of Industrial Relations;
DOI: 10.1177/0022185613515462
Everything and nothing changes: Fast-food employers and the threat to minimum wage regulation in Ireland
O'Sullivan, M,Royle, T
(2014)
Everything and nothing changes: Fast-food employers and the threat to minimum wage regulation in Ireland
In Economic And Industrial Democracy;
DOI: 10.1177/0143831X12462490
Speaking Up: Employee Voice and Attitudes to Unions in a Non-Union US Multi-national Firm'
Turner, T; O'Sullivan, M
(2013)
Speaking Up: Employee Voice and Attitudes to Unions in a Non-Union US Multi-national Firm'
In Industrial Relations Journal;
DOI: 10.1111/irj.12011
Economic Crisis and the Restructuring of Wage Setting Mechanisms for Vulnerable Workers in Ireland
Turner, T,O'Sullivan, M
(2013)
Economic Crisis and the Restructuring of Wage Setting Mechanisms for Vulnerable Workers in Ireland
In Economic And Social Review;
Facilitators and Inhibitors of Collective Action: A Case Study of a US-Owned Manufacturing Plant
O'Sullivan, M,Turner, T
(2013)
Facilitators and Inhibitors of Collective Action: A Case Study of a US-Owned Manufacturing Plant
In British Journal Of Industrial Relations;
DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8543.2013.00882.x
Minimum Labour Standards in a Social Partnership System - the Persistence of the Irish Variant of Wages Councils
O'Sullivan, M; Wallace, J.
(2011)
Minimum Labour Standards in a Social Partnership System - the Persistence of the Irish Variant of Wages Councils
In Industrial Relations Journal;
Organising methods and member recruitment in Irish trade unions
Turner, T,O'Sullivan, M,D'Art, D
(2011)
Organising methods and member recruitment in Irish trade unions
In Employee Relations;
DOI: 10.1108/01425451111153880
[ULIR]
The Citizens Information Service in Ireland: Protecting the Nonunionised Employee?
O'Sullivan, M; Hartigan, C
(2010)
The Citizens Information Service in Ireland: Protecting the Nonunionised Employee?
In Journal Of Workplace Rights;
Employment equality legislation in Ireland: Claimants, representation and outcomes
O'Sullivan M., MacMahon J.
(2010)
Employment equality legislation in Ireland: Claimants, representation and outcomes
In Industrial Law Journal;
DOI: 10.1093/indlaw/dwq026
Bearing All the Hallmarks of Oppression: Union Avoidance in Europe's Largest Low-cost Airline
O'Sullivan, M; Gunnigle, P
(2009)
Bearing All the Hallmarks of Oppression: Union Avoidance in Europe's Largest Low-cost Airline
In Labor Studies Journal;
Union availability, union membership and immigrant workers: An empirical investigation of the Irish case
Turner T., D'Art D., O'Sullivan M.
(2008)
Union availability, union membership and immigrant workers: An empirical investigation of the Irish case
In Employee Relations;
DOI: 10.1108/01425450810888268
New Directions in the Roles and Responsibilities of the HRM Function
Morley, M; Gunnigle,P; O'Sullivan,M; Collings, D
(2006)
New Directions in the Roles and Responsibilities of the HRM Function
In Personnel Review;
Employment Protection in Ireland
Wallace, J; O'Sullivan, M
(2004)
Employment Protection in Ireland
In International Employment Relations Review;
Other Journals
Doctors Need to Know Rights and Obligations under Equality Laws
O'Sullivan, M
(2008)
Doctors Need to Know Rights and Obligations under Equality Laws
In Irish Medical Times;
Recruiting Staff - A Short Guide for GPs and Private Consultants
O'Sullivan, M; Moore, D
(2008)
Recruiting Staff - A Short Guide for GPs and Private Consultants
In Irish Medical Journal;
Maternity Protection for Doctors
O'Sullivan, M; Moore, D
(2008)
Maternity Protection for Doctors
In Irish Medical Journal;
Are You Aware of Your Rights
O'Sullivan, M
(2007)
Are You Aware of Your Rights
In NCHD News;
IMO Intern Nights
O'Sullivan, M
(2007)
IMO Intern Nights
In NCHD News;
Employer Opposition to Unionisation in Ireland
O'Sullivan, M
(2006)
Employer Opposition to Unionisation in Ireland
In International Union Rights;
Published Reports
Technology, Work & Skills. The impact of technology on employees
O'Sullivan, M., MacMahon, J., Murphy, C. ., Lavell, J., Ryan, L.
(2019)
Technology, Work & Skills. The impact of technology on employees
Dublin :
FSU
A Study on the Prevalence of Zero Hour Contracts among Irish Employers and the Impact on Employees,
O'Sullivan, M., Turner, T., MacMahon, J., Ryan, L., Lavelle, J., Murphy, C., Gunnigle, P and O'Brien, M
(2015)
A Study on the Prevalence of Zero Hour Contracts among Irish Employers and the Impact on Employees,
Ireland :
University of Limerick
Workplace Bullying Among Nurses in Ireland,
McMahon, J, MacCurtain, S, O'Sullivan, M, Murphy, C and Turner T (
(2012)
Workplace Bullying Among Nurses in Ireland,
Dublin :
Irish Nurses and Midwives Trade Union
Reform of State's Employment Rights and Industrial Relations Procedures
O'Sullivan, M
(2011)
Reform of State's Employment Rights and Industrial Relations Procedures
Dublin :
TASC
Non Published Reportss
Review of the Joint Labour Committee System
Wallace, J; O'Sullivan, M
(2005)
Review of the Joint Labour Committee System
(Ed.)
Labour Relations Commmission