Labour Court upholds €15,000 recommendation to Tralee Community Training Centre worker

The Labour Court upheld a €15,000 compensation recommendation to a worker at Tralee Community Training Centre Ltd on her appeal, and recommended a review of her sick pay and sick leave record. Its decision was dated 28 July 2008. The worker appealed, saying the compensation for the effects of alleged bullying and harassment was inadequate. The Centre argued the original recommendation was equitable and should stand. The Court agreed with the Rights Commissioner’s finding that the employer could not be held responsible for allegations that had not been proven, given factors outside its control, and affirmed the compensation recommendation. The Court also recommended that the Centre review sick pay paid from June 2005 to February 2006 against its policy and correct any anomalies. It said the period should not count as absence when assessing the worker’s entitlement under the four-year sick leave cycle for qualifying for sick pay.