Labour Court confirms paid Christmas half-day for Mullaney Brothers’ part-time workers

The Labour Court disallowed Mullaney Brothers’ appeal and confirmed that two part-time workers were entitled to a paid half-day off before Christmas on the same basis as full-time colleagues. The determination was signed on 22 September 2006. The workers were represented by Mandate. The company said the half-day was a concession for full-time drapery staff working six days before Christmas and that it had remained for part-time staff by oversight. The workers said they had received the benefit until it was withdrawn because they worked part-time. The Court noted that full-time travel staff also received the benefit while working five-day weeks, so it was not solely linked to six-day working. It found that part-time status was the basis for withdrawing the leave and rejected pro-rating. The earlier decision was affirmed with a modification giving the workers the half-day on the same basis as full-time colleagues.