Labour Court directs talks on HSE worker’s return to full-time hours

The Labour Court directed HSE Dublin North East and a worker to hold immediate talks aimed at restoring her full-time hours as soon as practicable. The decision was signed on 29 August 2013, after the worker appealed a Rights Commissioner’s recommendation. The worker, represented by the Irish Municipal, Public and Civil Trade Union, said her contract provided for 33 hours a week and she had not agreed to a reduction. The HSE said she had requested a shorter working week and offered to give her the next available extra hours. The Court said little could be gained by apportioning blame and noted that restoring full-time hours might require flexibility from the worker. If the talks failed, the parties could report back and the Court would make a definitive recommendation.