The Labour Court varied a Rights Commissioner’s recommendation and recommended €7,500 compensation for a worker in a workplace bullying dispute involving the Health Service Executive - West. The decision was signed on 16 April 2008.
The worker appealed the original recommendation after challenging the investigation into her complaints. The HSE said it had followed its policy and offered training, reassignment and a reduced working week; management was willing to reinvestigate, despite practical difficulties after the time that had passed.
The Court found significant deficiencies in the investigator’s methods and procedures and set aside the report. It did not recommend a review or a second investigation. Instead, it recommended that management acknowledge the distress caused by the report’s failure to resolve the matter and pay €7,500 in full and final closure of issues relating to the original complaints.