WRC rules Aer Lingus worker’s €1,700 payment claim out of time

The Workplace Relations Commission found it had no jurisdiction to investigate Eamonn Harrington’s claim for a €1,700 once-off payment from Aer Lingus Ltd because it was submitted out of time. The decision was dated 11 March 2024; the merits were not decided. Harrington retired on 1 September 2022. Aer Lingus said staff who left on or before 1 October 2022 were not eligible for the payment, which it said was made in two vouchers. Harrington cited his efforts to resolve the dispute with the airline, difficulty lodging a complaint and lack of awareness of the deadline. The officer found these did not justify extending the time limit.