Courts / Laois / Report

Legal Aid Board solicitor was not penalised over complaints, WRC finds

Date
2024-01-26
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Portlaoise
County
Laois

Summary

Michelle Spellissy, a solicitor with the Legal Aid Board, brought a whistleblower penalisation claim after her manager docked her a day's pay and opened a disciplinary process when she complained about headaches and electrical shocks caused by a noisy ventilation fan in her office. She also alleged that her absence from work while attending a State‑sponsored Irish exam was treated as unauthorised. The Workplace Relations Commission found that the Board had not properly determined whether her absence was unauthorised, noting that Spellissy had not been told how the Board wanted her to treat exams or study time. The WRC awarded her €123.50 in back pay and dismissed her other complaints, concluding that the Board's actions did not amount to penalisation. The case remains at the employment‑tribunal stage, with no further outcome reported.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Legal Aid Board solicitor was not penalised over complaints, WRC finds. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request