Labour Court varies Suttons Oil bonus recommendation on employer’s appeal

The Labour Court varied a Rights Commissioner recommendation in Suttons Oil Ltd’s appeal over a continuity bonus, deciding that a worker should receive 50% of the bonus in full and final settlement. The decision was signed on 16 October 2015. The bonus was agreed after a change in the company’s shareholding in February 2014 and paid to staff who contributed positively to the transition. The union said the worker had supported the change, including by passing on sales calls. Management disputed that he had done enough to qualify. The Court found that the worker had co-operated to some extent but not enough to earn the full bonus. It also found the company had not told him his actions could put the payment at risk. The Court resolved the dispute by deciding the worker should receive 50% of the bonus.