Michelle O'Sullivan


 
researcher

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

Books

  Year Publication
2020 Industrial Relations in Ireland.
Wallace, J., Gunnigle, P., O'Sullivan, M. (2020) Industrial Relations in Ireland. Dublin: IPA. [Details]
2013 Industrial Relations in Ireland.
Wallace, J; Gunnigle, P; McMahon, G; O'Sullivan, M (2013) Industrial Relations in Ireland. Dublin: Gill and Macmillan. [Details]

Edited Books

  Year Publication
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.). (2019) Zero Hours and On-call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries Singapore: Springer. [DOI] [Details]
2013 Are Trade Unions Still Relevant? Union Recognition 100 Years On
Turner, T., D'Art, D., O'Sullivan, M (Ed.). (2013) Are Trade Unions Still Relevant? Union Recognition 100 Years On Dublin: Orpen. [Details]

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
2023 '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' In: Labour and Class in Irish History. Dublin: Umiskin Press. [Details]
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' In: Donna Baines and Ian Cunningham (eds). Working in the Context of Austerity: Challenges and Struggles. Bristol: Bristol University Press. [Details]
2019 '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' In: O'Sullivan, M., Lavelle, J., MacMahon, J., Ryan, L., Murphy, C., Turner, T. and Gunnigle, P (eds). Zero Hours and On-Call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries. London: Springer. [Details]
2020 'A Divided Workforce: Zero Hours Work at Sports Direct'
O'Sullivan, M. (2020) 'A Divided Workforce: Zero Hours Work at Sports Direct' In: T. Dundon, A. Wilkinson (eds). Case Studies in Work, Employment and Human Resource Management. UK: Edward Elgar. [Details]
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' In: O’Sullivan, M., Lavelle, J., McMahon, J., Ryan, L., Murphy, C., Turner, T. and Gunnigle, P (eds). Zero Hours and On-call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries. Singapore: Springer. [Details]
2019 'Curbing Bogus Self-employment'
Michelle O'Sullivan (2019) 'Curbing Bogus Self-employment' In: A. Lajoie, G. Irvine, S. Cohen (eds). Ensuring Good Future Jobs. Dublin: TASC. [DOI] [Details]
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' In: O’Sullivan, M., Lavelle, J., McMahon, J., Ryan, L., Murphy, C., Turner, T. and Gunnigle, P (eds). Zero Hours and On-call Work in Anglo-Saxon Countries. Singapore: Springer. [Details]
2019 'Managing the Employment Relationship'
Michelle O'Sullivan (2019) 'Managing the Employment Relationship' In: Human Resource Management: A Concise Introduction. UK: Palgrave Macmillan. [Details]
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’' In: The New Foundations of Labour law. Frankfurt, germany: Peter Lang. [Details]
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' In: Are Trade Unions Still Relevant? Union Recognition One Hundred Years On. Dublin: Orpen Press. [Details]
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' In: Are Trade Unions still Relevant? Union Recognition 100 Years On. Dublin: Orpen Press. [Details]
2013 'Managing the Employment Relationship'
O'Sullivan, M (2013) 'Managing the Employment Relationship' In: Human Resource Management. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. [Details]
2013 '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. [Details]
2009 '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. [Details]
2006 '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. [Details]
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' In: Global Industrial Relations. [Details]
2002 '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. [Details]
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' In: Irish Employment Relations in the New Economy. [Details]
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' In: At Your Service? Comparative Perspectives on Employment and Labour Relations in the European Private Sector Services. [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
2024 '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, [Details]
2023 '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, 52 (2):342-370 [DOI] [Details]
2022 '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, 51 (4):927-954 [DOI] [Details]
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 M. (2019) 'Trade Union Responses to zero hours work in Ireland'. Journal Of Industrial Relations, 50 (5-6):468-485 [DOI] [Details]
2019 '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, [DOI] [Details]
2018 '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'. Economic And Industrial Democracy, 39 (1):173-190 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2018 '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'. Industrial Relations Journal, 49 :473-491 [DOI] [Details]
2018 '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, 25 (1):1-10 [DOI] [Details]
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.;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, 41 (3):652-671 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
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, [Details]
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, 28 (6):2180-2198 [Details]
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, 11 (2):55-73 [ULIR Link] [Details]
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, [ULIR Link] [Details]
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, 63 (1):49-72 [DOI] [Details]
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'. European Journal Of Industrial Relations, 26 (3):279-295 [DOI] [Details]
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, 9 (5) [ULIR Link] [Details]
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, 38 (1):3-15 [DOI] [Details]
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, 39 :173-190 [DOI] [Details]
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, 49 (5-6):473-491 [DOI] [Details]
2017 'Editorial'
Cross, C,O'Sullivan, M (2017) 'Editorial'. Irish Journal Of Management, 36 :63-64 [DOI] [Details]
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, 38 (4) [ULIR Link] [Details]
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, 44 :222-245 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
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, 35 :27-47 [DOI] [Details]
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, [DOI] [Details]
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, 44 :197-219 [Details]
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, 51 :689-708 [DOI] [Details]
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, [DOI] [Details]
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, 42 (1):18-35 [Details]
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, 33 :516-531 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
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, 15 (1):65-82 [Details]
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, 39 (4):329-354 [DOI] [Details]
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, 34 (2):252-270 [Details]
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, 30 (5):479-493 [DOI] [Details]
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, 35 (6):609-617 [Details]
2004 'Employment Protection in Ireland'
Wallace, J; O'Sullivan, M (2004) 'Employment Protection in Ireland'. INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS REVIEW, 10 (1):53-66 [Details]

Other Journals

  Year Publication
2008 'Maternity Protection for Doctors'
O'Sullivan, M; Moore, D (2008) 'Maternity Protection for Doctors' Irish Medical Journal, 101 (2) :59-60. [Details]
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, 101 (1) :27-28. [Details]
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. [Details]
2007 'Are You Aware of Your Rights'
O'Sullivan, M (2007) 'Are You Aware of Your Rights' NCHD News, :4-4. [Details]
2007 'IMO Intern Nights'
O'Sullivan, M (2007) 'IMO Intern Nights' NCHD News, :3-3. [Details]
2006 'Employer Opposition to Unionisation in Ireland'
O'Sullivan, M (2006) 'Employer Opposition to Unionisation in Ireland' International Union Rights, 13 (2) :10-11. [Details]

Published Reports

  Year Publication
2023 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. Financial Services Union, Dublin. [Details]
2022 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. Financial Services Union, Dublin. [Details]
2020 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. Early Childhood Ireland, Dublin. [Details]
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. FSU, Dublin. [Details]
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. University of Limerick, Ireland. [Details]
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. Irish Nurses and Midwives Trade Union, Dublin. [Details]
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. TASC, Dublin. [Details]

Non Published Reports

  Year Publication
2005 Review of the Joint Labour Committee System.
Wallace, J; O'Sullivan, M (2005) Review of the Joint Labour Committee System. Non Published Reports [Details]

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
Irish Association for Industrial Relations Chair /
Irish Labour History Society Member /
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Academic Member /
Irish Academy of Management Council Member and Website Administrator 01-JAN-11 / 01-SEP-21

Education

  Year Institution Qualification Subject
2022 Northumbria University Master of Laws Employment Law in Practice Law
2005 University of Limerick Ph.D.
2007 Law Society of Ireland Diploma in Employment Law