Labour Court overturns Rights Commissioner's finding and awards Holmac worker £300

The Labour Court allowed a factory operative's appeal against Holmac Limited and varied the Rights Commissioner's recommendation, finding he was unfairly dismissed and awarding him £300 in full and final settlement. The decision was dated 17 July 2000. The worker had said he was unfairly dismissed after starting at the company in September 1999. Holmac said the dismissal took place during his three-month probation period. The Rights Commissioner had found the dismissal was not unfair. Holmac did not attend the Labour Court hearing. On the worker's uncontradicted evidence, the Court found the employer acted precipitously and that probation did not remove its obligation to act reasonably and fairly.