The WRC recommended that a policing service pay a worker €28,000 for extremely unfair treatment during a two-year suspension. The recommendation was dated 4 December 2024.
The worker had complained about losing an unsociable-hours allowance and the way the suspension was handled. He said he was suspended after helping restrain an assailant and was not given a fair chance to respond. The employer said it followed its policy and that the allowance was not due for hours he did not work. The officer found that he was initially given no reason for his suspension or opportunity to respond, that extensions were repeatedly approved without allowing him to challenge them, and that he was not notified of promotional vacancies as policy required. The officer found no automatic entitlement to allowances for hours not worked, but recommended €28,000 for breaches of fair procedures and resulting distress. The payment was not to be taxed.