WRC rejects Crowne Plaza worker’s claim for retention bonus

The Workplace Relations Commission found that Danijel Jancikic was not entitled to a retention bonus from Tifco Limited because he left before the scheme’s eligibility date. In a decision dated 20 April 2023, it ruled that the unpaid bonus was not an unlawful deduction from wages. Jancikic worked as a food and beverage supervisor at the Crowne Plaza and resigned on 17 June 2022. Tifco’s scheme required staff to remain employed until 30 June. Jancikic said the expected end date and bonus payment date had shifted as the accommodation contract was extended; the company said the eligibility condition had been communicated to staff. The WRC found that by 25 March 2022 Jancikic knew he had to remain employed until 30 June to qualify for the 10% payment. It concluded the bonus was not properly payable when he left, so the Payment of Wages Act complaint was not well founded.