Labour Court upholds 32 days’ annual leave and 31.5-day buy-out for St John of Gods Kildare Services worker

The Labour Court upheld a recommendation that a worker at St John of Gods Kildare Services receive 32 days of annual leave a year and a buy-out of 31.5 excess days taken over 10 years. The Court’s decision was dated 24 July 2014. The worker had appealed a recommendation rejecting her claim to retain 53 days of annual leave, arguing that her long-standing terms could not be changed unilaterally and that her work followed the school calendar. The employer said HSE Circular 011/2012 capped leave at 32 days and offered five extra days to bring her entitlement to that level. The buy-out is to be taken within three years, at times agreed with the employer.