The Workplace Relations Commission recommended revoking a front office manager’s six-month verbal warning after finding serious shortcomings in the disciplinary process. Adjudication officer Patsy Doyle dated the recommendation 28 July 2017.
The manager said she helped pass instructors’ concerns to the company chairman and was not given a chance to address the board before it endorsed the warning. The employer said the warning followed her role in preparing a list of staff issues and was fair. Doyle found that she had not been told a disciplinary procedure was being used, the investigation was not fairly or impartially determined, the board heard the employer’s account but not hers, and she had no internal appeal.
The WRC also recommended mediation, counselling and support for her return to work, with restoration to the payroll within four weeks. It recommended new grievance and disciplinary procedures and a staff communication forum.