The Workplace Relations Commission has ordered Dalata Hotel Group PLC to pay Fergal Ryan €50,000 after finding his dismissal unfair. The decision was dated 15 July 2022.
Ryan, a hotel manager, was dismissed after an investigation into cash payments arranged for work at the hotel. Dalata said he repeatedly breached its cash-handling rules, including after being told that wages should not be paid from petty cash. Ryan argued that the dismissal was disproportionate and said he had not been made aware of the detailed policy.
The adjudication officer found that the cash-handling breaches did not amount to gross misconduct warranting dismissal. She said dismissal was disproportionate and that a written warning would have been more appropriate. She also noted that the investigation began after a separate dispute involving Ryan’s complaint that his manager was bullying him.
The WRC found that Ryan had contributed significantly to the decision to terminate his employment and awarded €50,000 compensation for loss of earnings, subject to statutory deductions.