WRC recommends €5,000 payment to worker unfairly treated over workplace dispute

The Workplace Relations Commission recommended that the Health & Social Care Service Body pay a worker €5,000 after finding the worker was treated unfairly in its handling of a workplace dispute. In a recommendation dated 8 July 2026, adjudication officer Maria Kelly said ineffective communication was the main cause of the unfair treatment. The worker's 2017 bullying complaint was not upheld in the employer's investigation; the process from complaint to final report took two years and nine months. The officer noted changes to the investigation team, problems with note-taking and missing or unavailable documents. She also criticised unexplained decisions and delays in payslips and increments, which were later resolved without loss of income. The worker's dispute included the handling of the complaint, paid special leave after sick leave and the lack of an effective route back to the workplace. The employer said the leave was a protective measure and that it continued to explore a safe return. Eight of nine recommendations from the investigation were implemented; mediation to support the worker's return could not proceed because it was voluntary and other staff declined to participate. The WRC also recommended addressing outstanding administrative issues and reviewing the updated Dignity at Work Policy.