Labour Court rejects worker’s appeal over Technical Officer progression

The Labour Court rejected a worker’s appeal over retrospective progression and pay at the Institute of Technology Sligo. The recommendation was dated 20 October 2015. The worker argued that she met the requirements for progression to Technical Officer in May 2011 and sought retrospective pay from August 2011. The Institute said the relevant circular required an appropriate and relevant Level 8 qualification, which it considered her B.Comm did not provide. The Court accepted the Institute’s interpretation of the circular and found no basis to overturn the Rights Commissioner’s recommendation. The appeal failed, leaving in place the recommendation that the parties re-engage nationally and review the circular. The worker had progressed to Technical Officer in August 2015 after obtaining a Level 9 qualification.