Author: Terry Gorry
-
Dunnes Stores employee charged with lewd act in Marks and Spencer loses unfair dismissal case
Can you be fairly dismissed if you have a perfect disciplinary record and ‘exemplary work record’ in your job? The answer is yes. Dunnes Stores dismissed a general assistant, Gerard McVeigh, for something that occurred outside the workplace. McVeigh was charged in the District Court with committing a lewd act-masturbating himself-in the toilets of Marks…
-
Protection of whistle-blowers extended by Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022
The Protected Disclosures (Amendment) act 2022 has been signed into law but needs a commencement order to bring it into operation in daily life. This 2022 act extends the definition of ‘worker’ which now includes Volunteers Job applicants Board members, both executive and non-executive Trainees Shareholders The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 had a narrower definition…
-
The Sick Leave Act 2022-paid sick leave for employees signed into law
Sick pay is now a statutory entitlement in Ireland on foot of the passing into law of the Sick Leave Act 2022. (The statutory commencement order has not yet been signed, however, so the legislation does not yet have practical effect). All employees, part time and full time, have an entitlement to paid sick leave.…
-
Small primary school wins reasonable accommodation case brought by teacher
Employers are obliged to provide reasonable accommodation for employees with a disability. This can create difficulties for small employers. A recent case at the Workplace Relations Commission involving a small primary school is a good example of the difficulties that can arise. Background to WRC claim The teacher had been out on sick leave and…
-
Inappropriate questions at job interviews lead to payouts for discrimination
If you are an employer, you cannot be too careful about the questions you ask at the interview stage of the recruitment process. Two recent decisions from the WRC (Workplace Relations Commission) give us a blunt reminder on this point. Where are you from? One employer was ordered to pay €1,500 to an unsuccessful candidate…