In 1999, the Labour Court increased a Rights Commissioner’s recommended settlement for a child care worker whose employment with the Eastern Health Board was terminated. The Court raised it to £5,000 in full and final settlement. Its decision was dated 28 September 1999.
The union, the Irish Municipal, Public and Civil Trade Union, appealed the recommendation of two months’ salary. It said the worker had been unfairly treated and lacked promised support and supervision after returning to work. The Board said she lacked the skills for the job and had been given opportunities to improve.
The Court found serious flaws in the termination procedures. It said the worker did not have an adequate opportunity to have her performance assessed and that the dismissal appeared to have been decided without consultation with her or her representative. The Court also acknowledged difficulties with her performance and found that her efforts to improve had not been matched with management feedback.