Courts / Galway / Report
Aramark ordered to pay €45k to catering manager for unfair dismissal
Summary
In a decision by the Workplace Relations Commission, Darragh O'Farrell, a general manager at Campbell Catering Ltd trading as Aramark Ireland, was awarded €45,000 in compensation for unfair dismissal. O'Farrell had been employed since 2017 and managed up to 100 staff at sporting events. He was laid off during the first pandemic lockdown, a period when the government had introduced wage subsidies. The company argued his role was redundant due to the pandemic's impact, citing cancelled events and a sharp decline in business. O'Farrell contended the redundancy process was rushed, lacked clarity, and did not reflect the extraordinary circumstances. The adjudicator found the dismissal unfair, noting the employer should have treated the redundancy in line with the government's wage subsidy scheme. The award included an additional €821 for five days of annual leave. The case highlights the Commission's stance on employer conduct during the pandemic.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Aramark ordered to pay €45k to catering manager for unfair dismissal. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- 27 March 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 8 April Other
- 29 May Other
- 2022-05-19 Publication
Why: Ibec representative Fergus Dwyer, who appeared for the company, argued it was a "proper and fair process" arising from the fall-off in business because of the lockdown. CNI source report
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