Is this allowed?

doomzzod

Hi,
Looking on the net, can't get a proper answer...
Is it legal for managers of different companies (same department) to meet (privately) and conspire to limit salaries and conditions across a certain industry?

JJJJNR

Be very surprised if that happened.! But it depends on the industry it's all to do with supply and demand.

doomzzod

Why would you be surprised? Its a very small area of expertise within a couple of companies.

doomzzod

davo10 wrote: »

Have you proof that this happened?

I will not answer that one.

Frynge

My understanding is that it is illegal under competition law, open to correction.

I am also aware that it does happen within certain industries.

doomzzod

The companies are already heavily regulated, I also suspect that there is also blacklisting occurring within this sector.

davo10

doomzzod wrote: »

The companies are already heavily regulated, I also suspect that there is also blacklisting occurring within this sector.

Unless you can prove it, it is only conjecture.

doomzzod

I won't answer any proof questions, I'm trying to get a idea of what is and is not allowed between management in similar departments, but different companies

davo10

doomzzod wrote: »

I won't answer any proof questions, I'm trying to get a idea of what is and is not allowed between management in similar departments, but different companies

A cartel is illegal, open market is legal.

hfallada

http://www.cnet.com/uk/news/apple-google-appeal-settlement-rejection-in-wage-fixing-case/

Its highly illegal as its a cartel. But the thing with cartels is they are incredibly hard to prove and often borderline on impossible to prove. They are generally exposed when one company whistle blows to avoid a penalty.

I cant imagine the Irish competition authority being able to prove a cartel. But you never know

Irish_Elect_Eng

I am not sure if what you describe is illegal.

There is a difference between fixing prices and fixing wages between companies.

Unions effectively fix wages in collective bargaining, sometimes across whole professions.

Companies share wage data across similar roles within industries, effectively limiting the range of wages tightly based on that data.

Mr. Loverman

My advice for what it's worth:

Half the people on boards.ie are teenagers or people who never leave their home.

You should not be asking for legal advice here. You'll get answers from people who talk as if they are 100% certain of something, but actually they are 12 years old and don't know anything.

If you have proof, you can talk to a solicitor, but most likely he'll tell you it'll end up costing you a lot of money.

Good luck with your situation.

Mrs OBumble

davo10 wrote: »

A cartel is illegal, open market is legal.

Can we have a link please, showing how that applies to wages and employment opportunities.

gandalf

What level are these managers at, if they are mid level are the senior managers and the board members aware that this is going on because the reputational damage to an organisation if this is found out would not be good.

I am not a lawyer so I can't answer the legality side but if I was a customer of these organisations and a story like this broke I would automatically assume that if this sort of behaviour goes on in the HR area in these organisations then it more than likely has permeated the Sales side as well.

The_Conductor

It has happened in the IT industry- and heavy fines have been handed out in the States because they were able to prove it had occured. I genuinely don't think you're going to get a convicition and fine- in an Irish context- its just not going to happen. Unless its been proven in a court of law- its conjecture- you know as well as I do- its a damn small country- and who is to dispute the managers weren't discussing rugby tactics, or the latest GAA scores- or whatever....... Its not going to happen........