Labour Court varies Western Care Association worker’s relocation recommendation

The Labour Court varied a recommendation in a dispute between Western Care Association and an unnamed worker, requiring her assignment to another work location after consultation. The decision was dated 14 March 2024. The Adjudication Officer had recommended discontinuing a performance improvement programme and relocation, reducing the disciplinary sanction to an expired written warning, and €2,500 compensation for delays in the process. Western Care Association appealed, accepting most of the recommendation but opposing a move away from the original location, saying workplace relationships had been affected. The worker did not object in principle to another location but was concerned that the move could be seen as a sanction. The Court said the assignment should follow appropriate consultation and take account of the worker’s career wishes. It said the location decision was not a sanction. The recommendation, including the €2,500 compensation recommendation, was otherwise accepted.