WRC finds Alexandra Nova’s carer’s leave complaint was out of time

The Workplace Relations Commission found Alexandra Nova’s complaint against Telefonica Europe (Epsc) was brought outside the time limit and was not well founded; the merits were not decided. The decision, dated 29 September 2022, said the WRC had no jurisdiction to hear the case. Nova said she was not offered suitable alternative employment when due to return from carer’s leave. The respondent argued that she filed her complaint after the six-month deadline. Nova said she thought carer’s leave and parental leave were covered by the same legislation and filed within six months of her parental leave ending. The adjudication officer found that Nova’s carer’s leave ended on 27 January 2021 and the complaint was received on 28 November 2021, after the 26 July deadline. The officer also found she had not shown reasonable cause to extend the time limit.