Labour Court rejects Waterford Crystal worker’s appeal

In 1997, the Labour Court rejected a worker’s appeal over disciplinary action at Waterford Crystal, upholding the Rights Commissioner’s recommendation that he accept the company’s decision. The decision was dated 30 January 1997. Waterford Crystal had imposed nine working days’ unpaid suspension, a final written warning and future exclusion from its attendance award scheme after the worker tried to take more glasses than authorised. He and his union said two spare glasses had been packed by mistake and the incident was not deliberate. The company argued the worker was responsible for checking the packed items. The Labour Court found the Rights Commissioner’s recommendation was not unreasonable, upheld it and rejected the appeal.