WRC awards worker €600 over public holiday pay and orders Sunday pay review

The Workplace Relations Commission found that Velimir Eldic was entitled to have his regular 20% night shift allowance included in public holiday pay for days off, and ordered his employer to pay him €600 compensation. It also found his Sunday premium complaint well founded and ordered a review of his roster and pay. The decision was dated 10 August 2023. Eldic, a general operative, said his public holiday pay omitted the shift allowance and that he received no Sunday premium when Sunday fell within his normal five-day week. The employer said pay and conditions were set under a union-negotiated works agreement. The WRC found Sunday overtime was paid at double time, but found no evidence of a premium for Sundays within his normal 39-hour week. It ordered the employer to recalculate those Sundays at time and a half plus the 20% shift allowance, and pay any difference. It also directed the employer to review its contract and policy to align them with the Organisation of Working Time Act. Eldic’s paid annual leave complaint was withdrawn.