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

Peer Reviewed Journals

2022

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

Read more
2022

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

Read more
2022

The Expansion of Wage Theft Legislation in Common Law Countries – Should Ireland be Next?

O'Sullivan, M. (2022) The Expansion of Wage Theft Legislation in Common Law Countries – Should Ireland be Next? . Industrial Law Journal

Read more
2021

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

Read more
2021

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

Read more
2021

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

Read more
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'

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

Read more
2020

'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'. Economic And Industrial Democracy :652-671

Read more
2020

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

Read more
2019

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

Read more
2019

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

Read more
2019

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. . Industrial Relations Journal

Read more
2018

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

Read more
2018

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. Nursing inquiry

Read more
2018

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

Read more
2017

Editorial

Cross, C,O'Sullivan, M (2017) Editorial. Irish Journal Of Management :63-64

Read more
2016

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

Read more
2015

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

Read more
2014

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

Read more
2014

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

Read more
2013

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

Read more
2013

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

Read more
2013

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

Read more
2011

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

Read more
2011

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

Read more
2010

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

Read more
2010

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

Read more
2009

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

Read more
2008

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

Read more
2006

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

Read more
2004

Employment Protection in Ireland

Wallace, J; O'Sullivan, M (2004) Employment Protection in Ireland. International Employment Relations Review :53-66

Read more

Books

2020

Industrial Relations in Ireland

Wallace, J., Gunnigle, P., O'Sullivan, M. (2020) Industrial Relations in Ireland. Dublin : IPA

Read more
2013

Industrial Relations in Ireland

Wallace, J; Gunnigle, P; McMahon, G; O'Sullivan, M (2013) Industrial Relations in Ireland. Dublin : Gill and Macmillan

Read more

Book Chapters

2021

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

Read more
2020

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

Read more
2019

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. Singapore : Springer Zero Hours and On-call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries :21-40

Read more
2019

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

Read more
2019

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

Read more
2019

Curbing Bogus Self-employment

Michelle O'Sullivan (2019) Curbing Bogus Self-employment. Dublin : TASC Ensuring Good Future Jobs :23-26

Read more
2018

Managing the Employment Relationship

Michelle O'Sullivan (2018) Managing the Employment Relationship. UK : Palgrave Macmillan Human Resource Management: A Concise Introduction

Read more
2017

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

Read more
2013

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

Read more
2013

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

Read more
2013

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

Read more
2013

Managing the Employment Relationship

O'Sullivan, M (2013) Managing the Employment Relationship. Basingstoke : Palgrave Macmillan Human Resource Management

Read more
2009

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

Read more
2006

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

Read more
2006

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

Read more
2006

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

Read more
2002

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

Read more
2002

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

Read more
2001

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

Read more

Edited Books

2019

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

Read more
2013

Are Trade Unions Still Relevant? Union Recognition 100 Years On

(2013) Are Trade Unions Still Relevant? Union Recognition 100 Years On. Dublin : Orpen

Read more

Other Journals

2008

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

Read more
2008

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

Read more
2008

Maternity Protection for Doctors

O'Sullivan, M; Moore, D (2008) Maternity Protection for Doctors. Irish Medical Journal :59-60

Read more
2007

Are You Aware of Your Rights

O'Sullivan, M (2007) Are You Aware of Your Rights. NCHD News :4-4

Read more
2007

IMO Intern Nights

O'Sullivan, M (2007) IMO Intern Nights. NCHD News :3-3

Read more
2006

Employer Opposition to Unionisation in Ireland

O'Sullivan, M (2006) Employer Opposition to Unionisation in Ireland. International Union Rights :10-11

Read more

Conference Publications

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Conference Contributions

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Published Reports

2019

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

Read more
2015

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

Read more
2012

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

Read more
2011

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

Read more

Editorials

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Book Reviews

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Other Publications

2005

Review of the Joint Labour Committee System

Wallace, J; O'Sullivan, M (2005) Review of the Joint Labour Committee System. : Labour Relations Commmission

Read more