Courts / Ireland / Report

Verizon won't have to pay training conference fees for staff

Date
2023-05-02

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Summary

The Workplace Relations Commission issued its first rulings under the 1996 Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Act in a dispute involving Verizon Ireland Ltd and four staff representatives: Pavel Macho, Kevin Rodgers, Jean-Phillippe Charpentier, and Jan Fröding. The adjudicating officer found that Verizon was not required to pay hotel bills or conference fees for a training course, rejecting the workers' claims for these expenses. However, the tribunal ordered Verizon to pay Mr. Macho €4,000 in compensation for penalisation after the company accused him of misleading managers and threatened disciplinary action. The adjudicator found these actions unwarranted and ordered the warning expunged from his record. Additionally, Verizon was ordered to pay €5,610, representing 50% of an €11,220 invoice, to Mr. Charpentier for legal expert advice regarding Brexit and the lapsed works council agreement. The tribunal noted that while the workers had standing to claim, their failure to consult before incurring costs breached the spirit of co-operation. The matter was concluded with these specific financial orders and the dismissal of the remaining conference expense claims.