Lidl worker’s complaints dismissed as out of time

The Workplace Relations Commission dismissed Omer Koreng’s unfair dismissal and wages complaints against Lidl Ireland Gmbh as out of time. The decision was dated 8 September 2023. Koreng said workplace grievances, disciplinary investigations and the handling of his health and absences contributed to his resignation, which he described as constructive dismissal. Lidl denied constructive dismissal and disputed any breach of employment rights. The officer treated Koreng’s resignation on 25 January 2021 as the relevant date for his unfair dismissal claim. He filed the complaint on 25 July 2021, one day after the six-month time limit expired. The officer found he had not shown reasonable cause for filing late, noting he had sought solicitors’ advice in mid-April and then took a further 11 weeks to submit it. Both complaints were out of time, so the WRC had no jurisdiction to decide them. The merits were not decided.