Labour Court varies HSE recommendation in worker’s appeal over four workplace issues

The Labour Court varied a recommendation after an appeal by a worker represented by the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union against the HSE Dublin North East. It upheld a €1,000 payment for delay in responding in writing to injury benefit and sick-pay applications, and upheld acceptance of the employer’s goodwill payment for attending a medical assessment. The decision was signed on 29 January 2015. The worker, a paramedic based at Navan Ambulance Station, also raised the use of 39.5 hours of annual leave to attend treatment meetings and the handling of an occupational physician’s report. The Court recommended that the parties discuss the leave issue when he returned to work, and engage on facilitating his return once medically certified fit. The injury benefit and sick-pay applications remained subject to internal appeals, which the employer said would be expedited.