The Workplace Relations Commission has ordered St. Vincent’s University Hospital to pay chaplain Liam Cuffe €2,627 after finding it breached Sunday-premium rules. The decision was dated 31 October 2024.
Cuffe, who had worked at the hospital since 1999, said he had not been paid a Sunday premium. The hospital argued Sunday work was part of his role and said it began paying the premium in good faith, without accepting that he had been entitled to it earlier.
The adjudicator found that the hospital’s email of 3 November 2023 clearly acknowledged Cuffe’s entitlement. It ruled that the hospital had breached the Organisation of Working Time Act, which requires compensation for Sunday work where no other benefit is provided. The €2,627 award was limited to his loss within the period the WRC could consider.