Courts / Dublin / Report

Salesman who quit over 'escalating' abuse from public amid record price inflation loses claim

Summary

John O'Brien, a field sales rep for PrePayPower, claimed constructive dismissal after facing escalating abuse from customers amid record energy price inflation. He said he was forced to quit in late 2022 and early 2023 after encountering abusive, intoxicated, and physically threatening customers in Dublin. O'Brien reported incidents to his managers, who he said responded indifferently or hostilely, and that he was told to stop contacting them about minor incidents. He resigned in March 2023, citing mental health and loss of faith in the company. The Workplace Relations Commission rejected his claim, finding that while his managers' behaviour was unreasonable, it did not justify immediate resignation. The commission upheld a separate complaint under the Terms of Employment (Information) Act, ordering PrePayPower to pay €1,000 for breach of contract.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Salesman who quit over 'escalating' abuse from public amid record price inflation loses claim. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• May 2018 Other
• March 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
• December 2022 Other
• 3 January 2023 Other
• 27 January 2023 Incident
• 3 March 2023 Incident
• 2025-07-03 Publication

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report