Trinity College Dublin succeeds in out-of-time carer’s leave complaint

The Workplace Relations Commission found a carer’s leave complaint by Paul Matthews against Trinity College Dublin was out of time, lacked jurisdiction and was not well founded. The decision was dated 1 June 2022; the merits of the alleged breach were not decided. Matthews said that after returning from carer’s leave in July 2020, he was moved from his former IT support position at St James Hospital to the main help desk on Pearse Street. He sought to return to his former role and receive compensation. The College argued the complaint was late and that his duties, salary and terms had not materially worsened. The WRC concluded the delay was not justified, noting that Matthews could have made a holding complaint while internal College procedures continued. It therefore did not consider whether the College had breached the Carer’s Leave Act.