WRC rejects chef’s complaints over working hours and breaks

Ishal Singh’s complaints that Back to Front Hospitality Limited breached working-hours and rest-break rules were not well founded, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) decided. The decision was dated 16 May 2024. Singh, an executive chef at the company’s Brown Thomas Grafton Street restaurant, said he worked about 50 hours a week and often missed breaks. The company said he managed kitchen schedules and was responsible for ensuring staff took breaks. The adjudication officer found Singh had worked for less than the four-month reference period used to assess the average 48-hour weekly limit. On breaks, the officer found he was responsible for managing his own day and had not shown that he raised a problem with the directors.