€27k compensation for sacked Limerick bar worker
Serena Walsh from Meelick initiated proceedings against Quilty's Pub, Thomondgate after she was let go last year (LL)
A BAR worker has been awarded almost €30,000 in compensation after an Employment Appeals Tribunal ruled she was unfairly dismissed by her former employer.
Serena Walsh from Meelick initiated proceedings against Quilty’s Pub, Thomondgate after she was let go last year.
The Tribunal was told the claimant began working for the pub, which has since entered liquidation, in December 2008.
She said she mostly worked evenings from Monday to Sunday and would cover other staff if did not turn up for work.
Ms Walsh claimed that a fortnight before she was let go the bar manager’s partner, who also worked at the pub, had her hours increased.
Ms Walsh said she was informed that she was being let-go because of the down-turn and she told the Tribunal that she would have been happy to continue work part-time.
The owner of the pub told the Tribunal that trading had been difficult at the time and that he had a serious cash flow problem.
He said he had to keep staff numbers and wages down and that he cut corners where he could.
He added that Ms Walsh was the obvious choice and when asked why he replied because of her “decent wage”.
The witness agreed that other people were hired after Ms Walsh was let-go but he insisted there was no deliberate act to replace the claimant.
When asked if he went through procedures when he let Ms Walsh go he said he didn’t as he just had to cut the wage bill.
He said he didn’t consider imposing a pay-cut or asking the claimant to work part-time.
Finding in favour of Ms Walsh, the Tribunal awarded her €27,000 compensation.
She was awarded an additional €800 after her claim under the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts was also upheld.
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