WRC awards Jennifer Duffy €3,000 over missed breaks

The Workplace Relations Commission awarded social care worker Jennifer Duffy €3,000 after finding Camphill Communities of Ireland failed to provide breaks during her 12-hour shifts. The decision was dated 17 February 2022. Duffy said she often worked alone at weekends and could not leave the house for a break. The respondent said staff were paid for their shifts and ate with residents as part of its support model. The adjudication officer found Duffy remained on duty while eating and that the respondent had not shown she could take equivalent breaks. The WRC also awarded €200 after finding the respondent failed to notify Duffy in writing of changes to her payroll period and weekly hours. It found the alleged change to sick leave policy was not well founded.