Labour Court upholds €1,750 sick pay recommendation after Focus Ireland appeal fails

The Labour Court upheld a Rights Commissioner's recommendation that Focus Ireland pay a worker €1,750 in full and final settlement of a dispute over sick pay beyond the four weeks provided under the organisation's policy. Focus Ireland's appeal failed. The decision was signed on 8 May 2012. The worker said she reasonably expected the discretionary sick pay provision to apply after a meeting with the finance director. Focus Ireland argued that extending sick pay could be unfair to other staff and noted that the worker had not used the grievance procedure. The Court said the worker could reasonably expect the provision to apply in her case. It also noted that local discussions had not taken place before the claim was referred to the Rights Commissioner.