WRC awards worker €450 over missed breaks

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found a breaks complaint by Ethan Fifita well founded and ordered Hitian Land Ltd Xian Street Food/ Renao to pay him €450 in compensation. In a decision dated 11 June 2024, the WRC heard that Fifita said he missed breaks on five occasions. The employer said breaks were self-determined around busy and quiet periods and that he could take them. The adjudicator found the employer could not prove it had complied with the statutory break rules. Employers must provide rest breaks after specified periods of work and keep records showing compliance.