A Legal Aid Board solicitor won a €123.50 wages complaint, while her protected disclosure and health and safety complaints were found not well founded by the Workplace Relations Commission in a decision dated 11 January 2024.
Michelle Spellissy said concerns about ventilation, staffing and electric shocks at the Board’s Portlaoise office were protected disclosures or health and safety complaints, and that she faced retaliation. The Board said she had not made a protected disclosure and her exam absence was unauthorised.
The adjudicator found the pay deduction, a negative performance review entry and a disciplinary referral could amount to detriment, but concluded the dispute arose from Spellissy’s exam leave rather than the workplace issues. The Payment of Wages complaint succeeded and the Board was directed to repay €123.50. Five other complaints were withdrawn at the hearing.