WRC awards Mark Reeves €439.63 over Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme pay

The Workplace Relations Commission ordered Lake Region Medical Limited to pay Mark Reeves €439.63 compensation after finding a deduction from his wages was not permitted. The decision was dated 28 June 2021. Reeves complained that his pay under the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme was reduced after two days of unpaid absence in February 2020. The company said it had applied the scheme rules correctly. Revenue calculated his average net weekly pay at €614.99, compared with €638.81 without the absence; the subsidy was €350 a week. The officer found the scheme guidance required employers to use the calculated average even where it did not reflect an employee's usual wage. But the legislation did not authorise or require a deduction from wages, and the employer remained responsible for making good a shortfall. The WRC awarded €439.63, taking account of one unpaid absence day during the period.