The Workplace Relations Commission awarded Dragan Bogdanovici €12,000 for unfair dismissal and €1,782 for a minimum notice breach by Emerald Contract Cleaners (Ireland) Limited t/a Emerald Facility Services. The decision was dated 19 July 2021.
The adjudication officer found that the employer did not make a reasonable attempt to obtain evidence from a witness who could support Bogdanovici’s account of Saturday working. The same manager investigated the alleged misconduct and decided to dismiss him, undermining fair procedures. The employer said Bogdanovici had attended a school site outside working hours without permission and was dismissed for gross misconduct. Bogdanovici said he believed he had permission to finish work left over from the week.
The race discrimination and harassment complaints were not well founded. Three other complaints were withdrawn because they overlapped with complaints considered at the hearing.