The Workplace Relations Commission ordered Easyhotel Ireland Ltd to pay Rodrigo Santana €2,421 for wages withheld during an unpaid suspension and a separate €600 in compensation over annual leave. It upheld both complaints, finding Santana was entitled to work and be paid during the suspension. WRC Adjudication Officer Penelope McGrath issued the decision, dated 19 November 2025.
Santana told the WRC that the hotel suspended him without pay after his student visa expired, although he had applied to renew it before expiry. The respondent said it had taken advice from an Irish HR group. The adjudicator found the advice appeared wrong or lacked lawful justification, and that Department guidance allowed a person who applied before expiry to remain on existing conditions for up to eight weeks while renewal was processed.
The wages complaint was upheld because Santana was due pay for the period of suspension. His separate annual-leave complaint was also upheld, with €600 compensation ordered. The two awards are stated separately in the decision.