Securitas ordered to pay security worker €500 over leave payout before transfer

The WRC directed Securitas Security Services Ireland to pay Thomas Lavelle €500 after finding that the company had unlawfully paid out his accrued annual leave immediately before his employment transferred to Synergy Security. The decision was dated 1 November 2021. Lavelle said he had not been given notice that his leave would be paid out and was concerned he would not have enough leave with his new employer to cover a planned holiday. Securitas said it had chosen to pay outstanding leave rather than transfer it, and acknowledged that its communications had not been handled properly. The adjudication officer found that the transfer preserved continuous employment, so Securitas had no legal basis to treat the transfer as the end of Lavelle's employment and pay him in lieu of leave. The officer also found that the company's failure to engage with his queries was disrespectful.