The Labour Court varied a Rights Commissioner’s recommendation after a worker appealed a dispute with HSE West over pay, sick leave and subsistence. In a decision dated 20 December 2007, it extended the period of full pay to 31 March 2005 and treated the extension as special paid leave. The Court affirmed the refusal of subsistence payments because the worker was absent and not performing duties during the relevant period. The appeal followed a grievance after a disciplinary process and work-related sick leave.