WRC finds Irish Rail wage deductions for income protection premiums lawful

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found Gerard Brady’s complaints about deductions for income protection premiums from his wages not well founded. The decision, dated 11 June 2024, was made by Adjudication Officer Marie Flynn. Brady argued that he had not given individual written consent to the deductions and that the premiums were not fair and reasonable. Irish Rail said the scheme and deductions were agreed through collective bargaining and incorporated into employees’ contracts. The officer found the deductions were authorised by a collective agreement incorporated into Brady’s employment contract, so individual consent was not required. She found no unlawful deduction from his wages.