The WRC found that a food manufacturer fairly dismissed a senior operative for repeated unauthorised absences, rejecting his unfair dismissal complaint. The decision was dated 23 August 2017. The company said records showed 145 hours of unauthorised absence over 12 months and that the operative had been paid €1,994.80 for hours not worked. He argued dismissal was disproportionate given his service and prior record. The WRC found the absences amounted to serious misconduct and that the dismissal and the investigation, disciplinary process and appeal were fair.