Labour Court varies Westdoc recommendation over worker’s hours

The Labour Court varied a recommendation in a worker’s appeal against Westdoc Ltd, directing him to accept 19.5 weekly hours in Westport and the employer to offer those hours. The decision was signed on 3 October 2013. The worker sought to work those hours in Ballina and Belmullett, saying Westport involved more travel than his contract contemplated. Westdoc Ltd said it lacked enough work in those areas but had sufficient hours in Westport. The Court said the direction did not affect the parties’ differing interpretations of the employment contract. It also ruled that the worker did not have to repay compensation already paid under the earlier recommendation.