The maximum amount that can be awarded in an unfair dismissal case is 2 years’ remuneration (section 7, Unfair Dismissals Act, 1977). I had never seen it awarded until this case, DHL Limited and Michael Coughlan, in which Mr. Coughlan was awarded €72,042.88 by way of compensation. On the 28th July, 2017 the Labour Court … Read more
Are you being bullied at work? No, I mean really being bullied. As in repeated inappropriate behaviour which undermines your dignity as an employee. Let me explain. If I got a euro for every time an employee came to me and told me he/she was being bullied in work I would be a wealthy man. … Read more
Vera loved rabbits. She used to remind me of Lennie in Steinbeck’s short novel, “Of Mice and Men”, although, unlike Lennie, she was sharp as a tack. Vera started working in retail when she was 15, straight out of school. She worked her way up in the retail industry-mainly small shops- and found herself as … Read more
It’s an easy mistake to make. I see it all the time, to be honest. One day recently, I had to say this to a nice young woman who came to me for employment law advice: “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I think you are wasting your time with this”. And to a man … Read more
Has the Supreme Court raised the bar to successful bullying claims with this decision delivered on 26th May, 2017? Are you being bullied at work? A lot of people complain to me about bullying. You would not believe the large number of queries I received from people about bullying, and allegations of being bullied in … Read more