WRC declines to hear bakery worker’s complaint over changed hours and location

The Workplace Relations Commission declined to hear Alice Maher’s complaint that Thunders Bakery Ltd changed her work location and hours without written notice, finding both claims outside the statutory time limit. The WRC said it had no jurisdiction, so the merits were not decided. Its decision was dated 2 September 2024. Maher said she was moved from the Phibsboro bakery to Drumcondra for part of her work in November 2021, and that her hours increased in April 2023. The company said her contract allowed transfers between bakeries and that the added hours restored the 20 paid hours a week set out in her contract after unpaid breaks were identified. The adjudication officer found the location complaint concerned an October 2021 change and was referred outside the six-month limit. The hours change took place in April 2023, after the complaint had been submitted, and was also outside the applicable time limit.