WRC orders XS Direct Insurance Brokers to pay Paul Burke €6,644.65

The Workplace Relations Commission found Paul Burke’s complaint well founded and directed XS Direct Insurance Brokers Ltd to pay him €6,644.65, less statutory deductions, after an unauthorised pay reduction. Burke started as a claims handler in November 2018. The company introduced a 15% pay cut in April 2020 and later extended it. Burke said he 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.