WRC awards Tesco worker €12,000 over disproportionate dismissal

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

A Workplace Relations Commission adjudicator found Tesco unfairly dismissed Declan Kavanagh after he misplaced a €20 note, and awarded him €12,000. The adjudicator found no dishonesty and said dismissal for gross misconduct was disproportionate given his 13 years of unblemished service and lack of malicious intent.

The adjudicator said Tesco’s investigation had fatal flaws: it did not search bins where the note might have gone or interview two other employees who were present. She found a lesser sanction should have been imposed.