The Workplace Relations Commission found that a butcher unfairly dismissed a worker after accusing her of taking money from a cash register, and awarded her €6,000. Adjudication officer James Kelly dated the decision 9 May 2018.
The butcher said CCTV and a colleague’s account supported its belief that the worker had taken €50, and that it referred the allegation to An Garda Síochána. The worker denied taking money. The criminal case ended without a conviction, but the WRC said it was deciding only whether the dismissal was fair.
The WRC found the butcher had not followed its disciplinary procedures. The worker was shown footage with other staff present, was not given advance details of the allegations or a full chance to respond, and was not offered representation. Leaving her indefinitely suspended amounted to dismissal. The adjudicator found that the dismissal was unfair and awarded €6,000, taking account of her failure to fully mitigate her loss.