Labour Court appeal over school secretary’s pay claim fails

The Labour Court dismissed Ms Michele Hanley’s appeal over pay increases, finding that her complaint was not framed within the statutory time limit. The determination was dated 11 January 2023; the merits were not decided. Hanley, a part-time school secretary, sought the restoration of two locally negotiated increases and four 2.5% increases under Department of Education circulars. Her employer, the Board Of Management, Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál, said it had recalculated her pay and paid €3,015 for a shortfall, but argued she could not receive both sets of increases. The Court refused her request for more time, citing ongoing discussions with the Board and Covid-19. It found that her complaint form did not refer to deductions within the relevant six-month period. The Court varied the Adjudication Officer’s decision accordingly.