The WRC recommended that a hospital pay a healthcare worker €3,000 after finding its process leading to a final written warning was substantively and procedurally unfair. The recommendation was dated 20 December 2023.
The worker challenged the warning issued after a patient complained about a verbal interaction. The hospital said it had investigated a serious allegation and cited the pandemic and a cyber-attack as contributing to delays.
The adjudicator found significant shortcomings in the process, including that the patient was not interviewed by the investigation team and the worker had no opportunity to cross-examine witnesses. It took three years to conclude.
The WRC also recommended removing the warning and related records from the worker’s file and providing support and training.