WRC finds worker’s wages complaint barred by settlement agreement

The Workplace Relations Commission found a worker’s Payment of Wages Act complaint was not well founded, ruling that a full and final settlement agreement covered the disputed notice pay. The decision was dated 10 May 2016. The worker said an unpaid-leave adjustment had reduced pay due during her minimum notice period and that she signed the agreement under pressure. The adjudicator found no evidence that she signed without prior consultation or was uninformed; she had time to review the agreement and was represented by IMPACT. An earlier version of the employer’s calculation had created a legitimate expectation, but the notice issue was later explored and negotiated before the agreement was signed.