WRC awards former childcare worker €630 over part-time pay

The Workplace Relations Commission has directed Fatima Groups United to pay former childcare worker Sandra Gaffney €630 after finding that her rights as a part-time worker were breached. The decision was dated 11 June 2024. Gaffney moved from full-time to 17.5 hours a week in October 2022. Her hourly rate fell from €15 to €14, although she did the same work as full-time childcare staff. The employer said it had relied on incorrect external HR advice, acknowledged its mistake and apologised. The WRC found that paying her less per hour treated her less favourably as a part-time worker, in breach of the Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act. It calculated her lost income at €315 over 18 weeks and awarded €630 compensation. Gaffney resigned in February 2023 after efforts to resolve the dispute failed.