The WRC awarded a general operative €12,500 after finding his dismissal unfair. The decision was dated 8 November 2017. The officer also found he was entitled to two weeks’ notice under the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act.
The dairy processing plant said it dismissed the worker for failing to follow absence procedures and for caring for his greyhound while absent. He said he had texted his supervisor and denied that caring for the dog was remunerative work.
The adjudication officer found the employer failed to follow its escalating disciplinary procedure, did not tell the worker dismissal was a possible outcome and did not properly explain its rejection of his appeal. The officer also found the worker bore some responsibility because of his absence record, which affected the compensation awarded.