News 1st April 2019

WRC awards €10,000.00 for penalisation of hospital worker following bullying complaint

Facts The Complainant was employed as a multi-task attendant in the Respondent hospital since 1997. The Complainant experienced difficulties, described as hostile behaviour, with a co-worker and informal arrangements were made to ensure both employees were limited in their exchanges...

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News 1st April 2019

Employer’s absence from Labour Court hearing costs €10,000

The Claimant appealed the decision of the WRC to dismiss his claim for unfair dismissal to the Labour Court. The Claimant was employed as a Chicken Catcher by the Respondent for 8 years before his dismissal on 7th June 2016....

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News 1st April 2019

Labour Court increases WRC Compensation Award by €14,000 for pregnant employee Flawed Disciplinary Procedure costs employer €8,500

On 4th March 2019, the WRC awarded €4,500 to a worker for unfair dismissal due to his Employer carrying out a flawed investigation following a physical altercation. Facts The Claimant, a General Operative of the Respondent, a Medical Manufacturing Plant...

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News 1st April 2019

Labour Court increases WRC Compensation Award by €14,000 for pregnant employee

On 4th March 2019, the Labour Court increased a WRC award from €6,000 to €20,000 as means of compensation to a pregnant worker who was discriminated against by her employer. The WRC awarded the complainant €6,000 compensation as the Respondent...

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News 1st April 2019

Supreme Court confirms legal standing to challenge constitutionality of WRC

The legal challenge to the constitutionality of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) will now proceed in the High Court after the decision of Justice Mary Finlay-Geoghegan ruling that the Claimant, Mr Zalweski, had the locus standi to take the case....

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News 1st April 2019

Note on Other March Decisions

Employee awarded €4,500 for not being provided with a contract The Claimant is a medical practitioner in private practice and also undertakes work for the Respondent. He submitted that he was an employee of the Respondent and that he had...

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News 1st April 2019

Labour Court upholds Dismissal due to Illness Absences as Fair

Labour Court upholds Dismissal due to Illness Absences as Fair The Claimant had been employed as a porter by the Respondent hospital since 2002. His employment was terminated in October 2017 due to unacceptably high levels of absence. The decision...

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News 2nd March 2019

Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018

The Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018 (“the Act”) will come into effect, in early March 2019. It is a significant piece of legislation, which not only strengthens the rights of workers but has important repercussions for employers if there is...

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News 2nd March 2019

Fired Firefighter Rehired

On 12th February 2019, the WRC determined a fireman be re-engaged following his employment being terminated due to failing a medical fitness test. Facts The Claimant,  firefighter, who commenced employment in 1998 with a local authority was given notice of...

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News 2nd March 2019

Don’t take a break from your obligations under the Organisation of Working Time Act

There has been a significant increase in cases before the WRC in relation to employee rest breaks. The Organisation of Working Time Act (the “Act”) requires all employers to keep a detailed record of start and finishing times, the times...

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