The WRC recommended that a waste recycling company pay €17,500 to an office administrator dismissed after less than six months’ employment. The recommendation was dated 25 October 2023.
The worker told the WRC she received no training or performance reviews. After her probation was extended to allow for further training, she said, the training never happened. She was dismissed without being given a reason. The company did not attend the hearing or present evidence, though an email said the worker had not been treated unfairly.
The WRC considered the dispute under the Industrial Relations Act because the worker did not have the 12 months’ service required to bring a claim under the Unfair Dismissals Act. The adjudication officer found unfair dismissal in the worker’s favour, saying the company had provided no evidence of proper employment procedures and the worker’s evidence was unchallenged. The €17,500 recommendation was described as six months’ pay, reflecting the lack of evident employment procedures. The worker had secured new employment by mid-February 2023.