Piggery worker had just 18 days holidays over six years

A farm worker in County Cavan has been awarded nearly €14,000 by the Workplace Relations Commission following a ruling that his former employer failed to provide statutory annual leave entitlements over a six-year period. The complainant, employed at a piggery from December 2017 to November 2023, received only 18 days' paid holiday despite being entitled to four weeks annually under law. The adjudicator upheld complaints under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994, and Payment of Wages Act 1991. The company director conceded certain wage deductions and public holiday pay shortfalls but argued historic annual leave claims were time-barred. The adjudicator found the employer failed to demonstrate due diligence in ensuring leave was taken and ruled the working time complaint well-founded. Drumlolan Pork Ltd was ordered to pay €11,520.65 for unpaid annual leave, €2,245 for failure to provide written terms, and €127.01 for wage and public holiday deductions.