Labour Court rejects single-handed allowance claim for nine social workers

The Labour Court found that nine mental health social workers in the Health Service Executive Mid-Western Area did not qualify for a single-handed allowance. The recommendation was dated 9 November 2006. The Irish Municipal, Public And Civil Trade Union argued the workers managed their own caseloads and made decisions without direct supervision. The Health Service Executive said they worked in multidisciplinary teams under the coordination of senior staff. The Court cited job descriptions requiring the workers to work under the direction of the Principal Social Worker/Consultant and as part of a multidisciplinary team. It found no validity to the claim as presented, while recommending that the union pursue a national-level assessment for a uniform approach.