Dr. Michelle O'Sullivan
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 organisationsProfessional 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.
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
Peer Reviewed Journals
Essential or excluded? Union pressures and state responses to platform work in three liberal market economies
Duggan, J., O'Sullivan, M. and O'Sullivan, M. (2024) Essential or excluded? Union pressures and state responses to platform work in three liberal market economies. Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research
The Expansion of Wage Theft Legislation in Common Law Countries Should Ireland be Next?
O'Sullivan, M. (2023) The Expansion of Wage Theft Legislation in Common Law Countries Should Ireland be Next? . Industrial Law Journal :342-370
Labouring the news: Management control strategies and work intensification in the digital newsroom'
Hayes, K., O'Sullivan, M. (2023) Labouring the news: Management control strategies and work intensification in the digital newsroom'. Journalism
Labouring the news: Management control strategies and work intensification in the digital newsroom
Hayes K.;O' Sullivan M. (2023) Labouring the news: Management control strategies and work intensification in the digital newsroom. Journalism
The Expansion of Wage Theft Legislation in Common Law Countries - Should Ireland be Next?
O'Sullivan M. (2023) The Expansion of Wage Theft Legislation in Common Law Countries - Should Ireland be Next?. Industrial Law Journal :342-370
Migrant Workers and Wage Theft: Is Legal Action an Effective Form of Collective Action?
O'sullivan M.;Macmahon J. (2022) Migrant Workers and Wage Theft: Is Legal Action an Effective Form of Collective Action?. Industrial Law Journal :927-954
Migrant Workers and Wage Theft: Is Legal Action An Effective Form Of Collective Action?
O'Sullivan, M. and MacMahon, J. (2022) Migrant Workers and Wage Theft: Is Legal Action An Effective Form Of Collective Action?. Industrial Law Journal :927-954
What is Reasonable? The operation of Reasonable Accommodation' and Disability' provisions under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015
McGrath, D. and O'Sullivan, M. (2022) What is Reasonable? The operation of Reasonable Accommodation' and Disability' provisions under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. Irish Journal Of Management
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. Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research
'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'. Societies :55-73
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. Journal Of Industrial Relations :49-72
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. Gender, Work & Organisation :2180-2198
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. UK European Journal Of Industrial Relations :279-295
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.;Murphy C.;Ryan L.;Gunnigle P.;O’Brien M. (2020) The role of the state in shaping zero hours work in an atypical liberal market economy. Economic And Industrial Democracy :652-671
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. Nordic Journal of Working Life Studies
Does union membership matter? Political participation, attachment to democracy and generational change
Turner T.;Ryan L.;O’Sullivan M. (2019) Does union membership matter? Political participation, attachment to democracy and generational change. European Journal Of Industrial Relations
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 M. (2019) Trade Union Responses to zero hours work in Ireland. Journal Of Industrial Relations :468-485
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. Irish Journal Of Management :3-15
To stand back or step in? Exploring the responses of employees who observe workplace bullying
Sarah MacCurtain, Caroline Murphy, Juliet McMahon, Michelle O'Sullivan, Thomas Turner (2018) To stand back or step in? Exploring the responses of employees who observe workplace bullying. Nursing Inquiry :1-10
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). Economic And Industrial Democracy :173-190
Skating on thin ICE? A critical evaluation of a decade of research on the British Information and Consultation Regulations 2004
Butler, P., Gunnigle, P., Lavelle, J., & O'Sullivan, M. (2018) Skating on thin ICE? A critical evaluation of a decade of research on the British Information and Consultation Regulations 2004. Sage Economic And Industrial Democracy :173-190
Speaking up or staying silent in bullying situations: the significance of management control
MacMahon, J;O'Sullivan, M;Murphy, C;Ryan, L;MacCurtain, S (2018) Speaking up or staying silent in bullying situations: the significance of management control. HOBOKEN Industrial Relations Journal :473-491
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. Industrial Relations Journal :473-491
Editorial
Cross, C,O'Sullivan, M (2017) Editorial. Irish Journal Of Management :63-64
Employee Voice and Silence in Auditing Firms
Donovan, S., O'Sullivan, M., Doyle, E., Garvey, J. (2016) Employee Voice and Silence in Auditing Firms. Employee Relations
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?. Industrial Law Journal :222-245
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. Journal Of Industrial Relations
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. Economic And Industrial Democracy :27-47
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'. Industrial Relations Journal
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. Economic And Social Review :197-219
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. British Journal Of Industrial Relations :689-708
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. Industrial Relations Journal :18-35
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. Employee Relations :516-531
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?. Journal Of Workplace Rights :65-82
Employment equality legislation in Ireland: Claimants, representation and outcomes
O'Sullivan M., MacMahon J. (2010) Employment equality legislation in Ireland: Claimants, representation and outcomes. Industrial Law Journal :329-354
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. Labor Studies Journal :252-270
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. Employee Relations :479-493
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. Personnel Review :609-617
Employment Protection in Ireland
Wallace, J; O'Sullivan, M (2004) Employment Protection in Ireland. International Employment Relations Review :53-66
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
Re-energising the Movement: A Societal Imperative? Trade Union History in the 21st Century
O'Sullivan, M. (2023) Re-energising the Movement: A Societal Imperative? Trade Union History in the 21st Century. Dublin : Umiskin Press Labour and Class in Irish History
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 . Bristol : Bristol University Press Working in the Context of Austerity: Challenges and Struggles
A Divided Workforce: Zero Hours Work at Sports Direct
O'Sullivan, M. (2020) A Divided Workforce: Zero Hours Work at Sports Direct. UK : Edward Elgar Case Studies in Work, Employment and Human Resource Management
Curbing Bogus Self-employment
Michelle O'Sullivan (2019) Curbing Bogus Self-employment. Dublin : TASC Ensuring Good Future Jobs :23-26
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. Singapore : Springer Zero Hours and On-call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries :159-178
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. Singapore : Springer Zero Hours and On-call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries :1-20
Managing the Employment Relationship
Michelle O'Sullivan (2019) Managing the Employment Relationship. UK : Palgrave Macmillan Human Resource Management: A Concise Introduction
Zero Hours Work in Ireland
Murphy, C., Lavelle, J., Turner, T., Ryan, L., McMahon, J., O'Sullivan, M., O'Brien, M. and Gunnigle, P. (2019) Zero Hours Work in Ireland. London : Springer Zero Hours and On-Call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries
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' . Frankfurt, germany : Peter Lang The New Foundations of Labour law :147-162
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. Dublin : Orpen Press Are Trade Unions Still Relevant? Union Recognition One Hundred Years On :183-208
Introduction: The Continuing Relevance of Trade Unions
D'Art, D., Turner, T., O'Sullivan, M (2013) Introduction: The Continuing Relevance of Trade Unions. Dublin : Orpen Press Are Trade Unions Still Relevant: Trade Union Recognition One Hundred Years On :1-36
Union Avoidance in Europe's Largest Low Cost Airline
O'Sullivan, M.; Gunnigle, P. (2013) Union Avoidance in Europe's Largest Low Cost Airline. Dublin : Orpen Press Are Trade Unions still Relevant? Union Recognition 100 Years On :261-284
Managing the Employment Relationship
O'Sullivan, M (2013) Managing the Employment Relationship. Basingstoke : Palgrave Macmillan Human Resource Management
Bullying in Healthcare Organizations
MacMahon, J; MacCurtain, S; O'Sullivan M (2009) Bullying in Healthcare Organizations. uk : Palgrave Macmillan. Culture and Climate in Health Care Organizations :82-97
Employment Relations in the Hospitality Sector
Wallace, J; Wallace, J; O'Sullivan, M (2006) Employment Relations in the Hospitality Sector. Dublin : Blackhall Publishing. Hospitality Management in Ireland: Theory and Practice
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. Global Industrial Relations :273-291
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. Global Industrial Relations :273-291
The Industrial Relations Act 1990: A Critical Review
Wallace, J; O'Sullivan, M (2002) The Industrial Relations Act 1990: A Critical Review. Irish Employment Relations in the New Economy :169-195
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. 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. At Your Service? Comparative Perspectives on Employment and Labour Relations in the European Private Sector Services :231-266
Edited Books
Zero Hours and On-call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries
(2019) Zero Hours and On-call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries. Singapore : Springer :1-250
Are Trade Unions Still Relevant? Union Recognition 100 Years On
(2013) Are Trade Unions Still Relevant? Union Recognition 100 Years On. Dublin : Orpen
Other Journals
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. Irish Medical Journal :27-28
Maternity Protection for Doctors
O'Sullivan, M; Moore, D (2008) Maternity Protection for Doctors. Irish Medical Journal :59-60
Doctors Need to Know Rights and Obligations under Equality Laws
O'Sullivan, M (2008) Doctors Need to Know Rights and Obligations under Equality Laws. Irish Medical Times :8-8
Are You Aware of Your Rights
O'Sullivan, M (2007) Are You Aware of Your Rights. NCHD News :4-4
IMO Intern Nights
O'Sullivan, M (2007) IMO Intern Nights. NCHD News :3-3
Employer Opposition to Unionisation in Ireland
O'Sullivan, M (2006) Employer Opposition to Unionisation in Ireland. International Union Rights :10-11
Conference Publications
Conference Contributions
Published Reports
Employee Experiences of Technological Surveillance in Financial Services
O'Sullivan, M., McMahon, J., Murphy, C., Ryan, L. and Lavelle, J. (2023) Employee Experiences of Technological Surveillance in Financial Services. Dublin : Financial Services Union
Employee Experiences of Remote Work in Financial Services
O'Sullivan, M., McMahon, J., Murphy, C., Ryan, L. and Lavelle, J. (2022) Employee Experiences of Remote Work in Financial Services. Dublin : Financial Services Union
Pathways to Better Prospects: Delivering Proper Terms and Conditions for the Early Years Workforce in Ireland
O'Sullivan, M., McMahon, J., Ryan, L., Lavelle, J. and Murphy, C. (2020) Pathways to Better Prospects: Delivering Proper Terms and Conditions for the Early Years Workforce in Ireland. Dublin : Early Childhood Ireland
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
Editorials
Book Reviews
Other Publications
Review of the Joint Labour Committee System
Wallace, J; O'Sullivan, M (2005) Review of the Joint Labour Committee System. : Labour Relations Commmission