WRC rules Lidl dismissal complaint was out of time

The Workplace Relations Commission found it had no jurisdiction to hear Arturs Cehanovics’s unfair dismissal complaint against Lidl Ireland Gmbh because it was brought outside the time limit. The WRC decision was dated 7 June 2023; the merits were not decided. Cehanovics worked as a warehouse operative from March 2018 until 5 June 2021. The officer found the dismissal took effect on that date, so the six-month limit began then. The complaint was lodged on 9 January 2022. He argued that the dismissal process was unfair and that an internal appeal had stayed the termination. Lidl said it dismissed him for gross misconduct after investigating an allegation that he travelled abroad while on sick leave; Cehanovics denied travelling. The officer was not satisfied there was reasonable cause to extend the filing deadline.