The Workplace Relations Commission awarded Charlie Wheatley €57,000 for unfair dismissal, including €41,000 for lost salary, €15,000 for lost accommodation and €1,000 for horse livery. The decision was dated 28 August 2023.
Wheatley worked as a yard manager at a stables from October 2018 until April 2022. He said he was dismissed abruptly, without discussion or an appeal, and lost his on-site accommodation and horse stabling. The adjudication officer found the dismissal took place and that no procedures were followed. The respondents presented no evidence at the hearing.
The WRC also awarded him €500 because he had not received a written employment contract. His minimum-notice complaint was found not well founded because notice had been paid. In plain terms, he succeeded on the unfair dismissal and written-contract complaints, but not on the notice complaint.