The Labour Court increased Malachy McGrath’s holiday-pay compensation to €1,200 and varied the Rights Commissioner’s decision, signed on 5 November 2003. Michael Laheen, trading as Michael Laheen Painting, had appealed the original €1,000 award, arguing it was excessive given how McGrath left his job.
McGrath worked for the company from January to July 2002 and said he had not received holiday pay. The employer accepted he was entitled to compensation for outstanding leave but challenged the amount. The Court found no basis to reduce it. It noted the employer accepted McGrath’s economic loss was €830, as well as a day’s pay lost while pursuing the claim. The Court also considered the further loss and inconvenience of defending the appeal before setting compensation at €1,200.