Childcare worker wins €250 over working-time complaint about breaks

The Workplace Relations Commission awarded Livia Balkova €250 after finding her working-time complaint about breaks was well founded in a minor manner. Her constructive dismissal complaint against The Fairways Childcare Centre Limited t/a The Children’s House failed. The decision was dated 22 June 2022. Balkova said breaks were sometimes missed or taken while she minded children, and that morning and afternoon breaks were not provided. The employer said staff were facilitated in taking required breaks. The WRC found proper breaks were probably not taken in line with legal requirements and noted the employer’s responsibility to keep records. The €250 was compensation for breach of a statutory right, not wages. The constructive dismissal claim arose from tensions over supervision and a performance improvement plan; the WRC concluded the evidence did not establish a fundamental contract breach or unreasonable conduct sufficient to support it.