Courts / Ireland / Report

Landmark ruling on fiddle player's employment status being appealed 'on behalf of music industry'

Summary

In a landmark decision, the Workplace Relations Commission ruled that fiddle player Matt McGranaghan was an employee of MEPC Music Ltd, not an independent contractor, and awarded him compensation for unfair dismissal and breaches of employment rights. The tribunal applied the Supreme Court's 2023 test to distinguish employees from contractors in the entertainment sector. McGranaghan earned about €50,000 a year from roughly 220 gigs over six years, and the WRC awarded him €26,880 for unfair dismissal, €12,480 for various statutory breaches, and €4,480 for notice pay. MEPC's lawyers contested the ruling, arguing McGranaghan was self‑employed and that treating him as an employee saved the company 15% in PRSI. The company has now filed an appeal to the Labour Court, claiming the decision should be overturned on behalf of the music industry, which it says relies on independent contractors. The appeal's grounds have not yet been set out.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Landmark ruling on fiddle player's employment status being appealed 'on behalf of music industry'. Charges or matters: unfair dismissal; breaches of employment rights. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• September 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
• August 2021 Other
• 2024-09-25 Publication

Why: A solicitor acting for the company behind one of Ireland's top country music acts says they are appealing a landmark ruling on the employment status of a fiddle player "on behalf of the music industry" because the industry "couldn't operate" without relying on independent contractors. CNI source report

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Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report