Labour Court rejects Sunday-work compensation claim by occupational therapist

The Labour Court rejected a worker’s claim for compensation over lost Sunday work and upheld the Rights Commissioner’s recommendation. The decision was dated 31 July 2000. The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union brought the claim on behalf of a senior occupational therapist at St. Ita’s Hospital, Portrane. The union said the worker had been denied Sunday shifts and that this affected his earnings and pension entitlements. The Eastern Health Board said his occupational-therapist duties were Monday to Friday. The Court found he worked as a full-time occupational therapist, not a psychiatric nurse, and that Sunday work did not apply to his grade.