Labour Court varies job-sharing recommendation in Commissioners of Irish Lights dispute

The Labour Court varied a Rights Commissioner’s recommendation in a dispute over a job-sharing worker’s hours, salary and access to flexitime. In its decision signed on 28 June 2010, the Court gave management two options: retain her previous hours and salary without flexitime, or use the Rights Commissioner’s formula while allowing her access to flexitime. The worker, represented by PSEU, had been working 58.34% of full-time hours while receiving 60% of the full-time salary. The Commissioners of Irish Lights later reduced her salary to reflect her hours. PSEU said she had not agreed to a reduction in salary or a later finish, and that she had been denied flexitime. Management said it was willing to apply the Rights Commissioner’s recommendation if the union accepted it, but considered her role unsuitable for flexitime.