WRC orders XS Direct Insurance Brokers to pay Samantha Black €7,237.50

The Workplace Relations Commission found Samantha Black’s complaint well founded and directed Xs Direct Insurance Brokers Ltd to pay her €7,237.50, less statutory deductions, after an unauthorised pay reduction. Black started as a claims handler in January 2016. The company introduced a 15% pay cut in April 2020 and later extended it. Black said she had not agreed to the reduction. The adjudication officer found the cut was unilateral and that the wages paid were less than contractually due. The respondent, which was in receivership, did not attend the hearing; the receiver said the claims predated its appointment and it would not take part. The WRC decision was dated 5 April 2023. The award covered the unlawful deductions for the relevant period and was subject to statutory deductions.