The Labour Court reduced a £1,000 compensation recommendation to £650 on St. Michael’s House’s appeal. The decision was signed on 30 June 1998. The original recommendation concerned delays that left a care assistant unable to return to work from March to August 1997.
The Rights Commissioner found that St. Michael’s House was correct to refuse the worker’s return based on a medical report, but considered the delay in arranging an assessment and informing her of the result unacceptable. The Commissioner recommended £1,000 in settlement. The Irish Municipal, Public and Civil Trade Union represented the worker.
St. Michael’s House appealed the compensation recommendation. At the Labour Court hearing, the union argued that there had been delays and that the company had not assessed risks or considered adjustments or alternative work. The company said it relied on its doctor’s opinion and attributed delay in receiving a report to the worker’s medical team.
The Labour Court considered the £1,000 award excessive on the evidence presented at its hearing. It upheld the company’s appeal and reduced the compensation to £650 for the delays.