Courts / Ireland / Report

Freelance editor claimed she was left €238k worse off than staff employees

Summary

An editor who worked as an independent contractor for 11 years claimed she was left €238,000 worse off than permanently‑employed colleagues. The Workplace Relations Commission, hearing a dispute under the Industrial Relations Act 1969, decided the editor should be given more time to consider a retrospective benefits deal tabled by her employer. The tribunal noted that the employer had already offered a retrospection deal for about 100 workers, and that extending the offer could expose the employer to further claims. The editor had been offered a part‑time contract in 2019, increased in 2021, and a variable ex‑gratia lump sum of €10,500, but she declined the deal and brought a complaint in November 2022. The adjudicator recommended extending the payment of the lump sum for an additional 12 weeks. The decision allows the editor to review the retrospective benefits offer before a final determination is made.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Freelance editor claimed she was left €238k worse off than staff employees. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• May 2019 Other
• August 2022 Other
• November 2022 Other
• July 2008 Other
• 2013 to 2019 Other
• 2024-11-07 Publication

Why: An editor who claimed that she was left €238,000 worse off than her permanently-employed colleagues because she was treated as an "independent contractor" for 11 years is to be given more time to consider a retrospective benefits deal tabled by her employer, a tribunal has decided. CNI source report

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report