Labour Court confirms recommendation in Gernord Ltd T/A Gerflor suspension appeal

The Labour Court confirmed a Rights Commissioner's recommendation in an appeal by a worker who had been suspended for two days after raising concerns about returning to an area where an asbestos spill had occurred. The decision was signed on 14 May 2009. The worker argued that the suspension penalised him for raising health and safety concerns. Gernord Ltd T/A Gerflor said it engaged a specialist, held information meetings and offered him an individual meeting. The Rights Commissioner had found that the suspension followed a failure to obey a legitimate management instruction and that the employer acted reasonably. The Labour Court confirmed that recommendation.