WRC finds Garda cleaner’s fixed-term work complaint not well founded

The Workplace Relations Commission found Amy Farrell’s complaint against An Garda Síochána not well founded because she lacked legal standing under the Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Act 2003. Adjudication Officer Kara Turner dated the decision 12 September 2023; the merits were not decided. Farrell, a cleaner, said the Garda had delayed providing a contract of indefinite duration despite acknowledging her entitlement. The Garda said it had offered her such a contract, effective from 1 April 2019, with improved terms including incremental credit and paid sick leave. The officer found the evidence did not establish that Farrell’s employment was due to end on an objective condition, such as a set date or completed task. She therefore was not a fixed-term employee under the Act and could not bring the complaint under it.