A WRC adjudication officer recommended that a worker and a manufacturing plant reopen talks on compassionate leave after finding figures gave some credence to a perceived decline in two-day grants since 2015. The recommendation was dated 24 May 2018. The worker sought two days’ leave after his uncle died. SIPTU said two days had been granted in similar cases over many years, while the plant said the Works Agreement left the decision to management. Two days were granted in 58% of cases in the four-to-five years ending in December 2014, compared with 43% from 2015 onward. The officer said the agreement gave the plant discretion and found no breach of the collective agreement. She recommended updating the policy with clear, transparent criteria consistent with industry practice.