WRC recommends training audit and overtime pay in worker’s dispute

The WRC recommended that an employer audit a worker’s training and pay the equivalent of 24 hours’ overtime pay at time-and-a-half. The recommendation, dated 3 October 2023, also called for one-to-one training on the systems used to access overtime and training. The worker’s dispute followed investigations into complaints about exclusion from training and overtime. She sought apologies from two employees who had been the subjects of the complaints. The employer said it had apologised for the exclusions and that its bullying investigation had made no finding of bullying. The adjudicator said the employer was not obliged to request an apology where no bullying finding had been made. She criticised the employer for not giving the worker interview notes or explaining why the bullying complaint was not upheld, saying the worker should have been able to see and comment on the defence before findings issued. The recommended training audit was to identify gaps related to the worker’s current role. SIPTU was to confirm in writing that acceptance of the recommendations would fully resolve the dispute.