WRC finds wage law breached in 18 complaints against Fish Shack Cafe

The Workplace Relations Commission found that Pbr Restaurants Limited Fish Shack Cafe breached the Payment of Wages Act in 18 of Philip Hanley’s 21 complaints. It ruled the other three complaints out of time; the merits of those complaints were not decided. Hanley said he was laid off without pay and that there was no contractual or legal basis for withholding his wages. The respondent said it followed Government guidelines and had no choice but to lay off most staff. The WRC, in a decision dated 9 January 2023, awarded no compensation. The adjudicator referred to the pandemic and widespread lay-offs when deciding the amount of compensation.