Courts / Dublin / Report
First-ever compensation under remote work legislation sees Salesforce ordered to pay €1k over delay in response to '550km office commute' issue
Summary
In May 2025 the Workplace Relations Commission awarded Thomas Farrell €1,000 after Salesforce failed to reply within the four‑week deadline for a formal remote‑work request under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. Farrell, a recruiter who had moved to the west of Ireland, had been told in June 2023 that he could work remotely and attend the office as needed. In May 2024 his line manager announced a return‑to‑office requirement of three to four days a week. Farrell filed a request on 10 June 2024 citing the unsustainability of a 550‑km daily commute, his proven remote performance and inconsistencies in Salesforce's policy. The company responded on 11 July 2024, after the deadline, and rejected the request on 26 July 2024, citing collaboration, in‑person meetings and alignment with a global hybrid strategy.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: First-ever compensation under remote work legislation sees Salesforce ordered to pay €1k over delay in response to '550km office commute' issue. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- June 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2024 Other
- 10 June 2024 Other
- 11 July 2024 Other
- 26 July 2024 Other
- 2025-05-06 Publication
Why: In a formal request under the legislation, Mr Farrell told his employer he needed to work remotely because of "the un-sustainability of a 550km daily round-trip commute". CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request