The Labour Court doubled the recommended compensation for Mr Robert Blazsik to €2,016 on his appeal, after finding his employer’s owner should not have conducted the disciplinary hearing into a complaint about her own conduct. The decision was dated 12 May 2022.
Mr Blazsik worked as an assistant baker for MFC Foods Limited T/A Dessert First until he was dismissed for alleged gross misconduct in July 2020. He denied acting aggressively during a dispute with owner Margaret Fleming over time limits for assigned tasks. He also said he was not given an adequate opportunity to respond at the disciplinary hearing.
The Court said someone other than Ms Fleming should have conducted the hearing, even if the company needed to engage an external person. The adjudication officer had recommended €1,008, equivalent to four weeks’ gross pay; the Labour Court increased the compensation recommendation to €2,016 as just and equitable.