Courts / Ireland / Report

WRC's largest payment this year sees ex-CEO told to work for free or quit awarded €133k

Summary

In a 2023 decision, the Workplace Relations Commission awarded €133,000 to Mario Kirstner, former chief executive of Suirsafe Technologies Ltd. The award comprised €108,000 for constructive dismissal and €25,800 for unlawful wage deductions. Kirstner claimed that in April 2022 the owners, citing a "political/legal situation in China," demanded he either work without pay or leave immediately. He was demoted to chief operating officer, had control of bank accounts transferred to investor Ms Ye, and was told to work for free until the company became profitable. He resigned on 14 June 2022, after refusing to comply with the ultimatum. The tribunal found the company breached the contract by not paying him during the six‑month notice period and ruled the dismissal unfair, awarding the full six‑month lost earnings and the wage‑deduction sum. The case was heard without the respondent company present.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: WRC's largest payment this year sees ex-CEO told to work for free or quit awarded €133k. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• April 2022 Other
• May 2022 Other
• 14 June Other
• 1 May 2022 Other
• 1 May Other
• 13 June 2022 Other
• 2023-06-30 Publication

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report