WRC awards Brendan Burke €3,180 for unfair dismissal and €979 in wages

The Workplace Relations Commission found Brendan Burke was unfairly dismissed by Bretland Contracting Ltd. and Bretland Construction, awarding him €3,180. Its decision, by Adjudication Officer Penelope McGrath, was dated 20 January 2025. The WRC also found one of Burke’s Payment of Wages complaints well founded and awarded €979. Burke said he was unfairly dismissed and that wages had been unlawfully deducted or withheld; the respondents denied the dismissal was unfair or that they had breached employment rights. The adjudicator found the disciplinary meeting was conducted in an intimidating manner and the procedures were inadequate. She also found Burke’s own conduct significantly contributed to the termination. Burke’s second Payment of Wages complaint was not well founded. The adjudicator said he was not entitled to six weeks’ notice pay after conduct treated as gross misconduct. She noted that he found alternative work within two days and would otherwise have remained in the job under a demotion and reduced pay.