Courts / Galway / Report
Cinema manager sacked after being found asleep at desk wins unfair dismissal case
Summary
James Sammon, former general manager of Galway Multiplex Ltd, was dismissed in July 2020 after an investigation found him asleep at his desk and smelling of alcohol on 18 November 2019. The cinema's HR manager reported that a customer and two supervisors alleged Sammon had fallen asleep, sent a junior colleague to buy alcohol and cigarettes, and had a strong alcohol odor. CCTV footage was cited as evidence of his intoxication. Sammon was suspended with pay on 19 November and did not attend the disciplinary hearing, citing a nervous breakdown. He later claimed excessive working hours (56–60 per week) and lack of statutory breaks. The Workplace Relations Commission ruled Sammon was 60 % responsible for his dismissal, awarding him €1,600 in unfair dismissal compensation and an additional €1,018 for breaches of the Organisation of Working Time Act, while rejecting other working‑time claims.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Cinema manager sacked after being found asleep at desk wins unfair dismissal case. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- July 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- Sunday 17 November Other
- Monday 18 November Other
- Friday 22 November Other
- 26 November Hearing Or Sentence
- 10 March 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 17 July 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 18 November Other
- November 2019 Other
- 14 October Incident
- 19 November Other
- 2022-05-05 Publication
Why: The company's solicitor argued Mr Sammon would need to show a pattern of working in excess of 48 hours over the course of four months in order to succeed in a claim for excessive hours. CNI source report
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