WRC recommends €5,000 and restored start times for worker

The Workplace Relations Commission recommended that an employer restore a worker’s pre-July 2021 start times until he agrees to a change and pay him €5,000 for breaching his rights. The recommendation, dated 1 June 2023, followed a finding that changing his hours was penalisation linked to concerns about his performance. The worker said his established 8am start was changed after a manager raised performance concerns, without a fair process. An internal appeal restored the early start, but the manager later introduced a rotation among four general operatives. The employer said the rotation was fair and met operational needs. The officer found the manager’s later action undermined the internal appeal outcome and that the operational explanation was not credible. The officer also recommended refresher training for relevant managers on handling disputes and grievances.