Courts / Kildare / Report
Restaurant boss who claimed worker left 'happy' with €300 'golden handshake' loses dismissal case
Summary
Caitlin Kavanagh, a part‑time takeaway worker at Goodwill Catering Ltd (the Peony Garden) in Prosperous, Co. Kildare, was dismissed by text after she requested a €1‑per‑hour raise for additional tasks the new owner demanded. The owner, who claimed Kavanagh had left "happy" and received a €300 "golden handshake", was found by the Workplace Relations Commission to have breached her fundamental rights. The tribunal heard that the owner sent multiple texts on 27 June 2023 stating she was no longer an employee and that Kavanagh would need to sign a new contract to keep her job. No dismissal procedures were followed. The commission awarded Kavanagh €896 in compensation, covering eight weeks' wages. The case confirms the dismissal was unfair under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Restaurant boss who claimed worker left 'happy' with €300 'golden handshake' loses dismissal case. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- June 2023 Other
- Monday 26 June Other
- 27 June 2023 Other
- 2024-05-01 Publication
Why: The worker said she had some safety concerns, as she believed the extra work would require training and because it included working at height and the use of chemicals. CNI source report
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