Case Number: ADJ-00024700. Workplace Relations Commission

• Date: 02 June 2020
• Docket Number: ADJ-00024700
• Court: Workplace Relations Commission

Procedure:

In accordance with Section 13 of the Industrial Relations Acts 1969 following the referral of the dispute to me by the Director General, I inquired into the dispute and gave the parties an opportunity to be heard by me and to present to me any evidence relevant to the dispute.

Background:

The worker contends that he was unfairly dismissed. He has less than 12 months service. He commenced employment on 22/5/2019. He was unfairly dismissed on the 3/10/2019. He worked 37.5 hours per week. His annual salary€28,000. He submitted his complaint to the WRC on 7 October 2019.

Summary of Complainant’s Case:

The worker was a customer care team leader engaged in sourcing new customers for the employer who sold, installed and maintained rural broadband services. He often had to do the job of three staff members as staff were moved around frequently. He made a complaint of bullying against the deputy CEO on the 12 September. The Deputy CEO stated a meeting would happen on the 13 September. It did not. He was called into a meeting with the CEO and deputy CEO on 26 September. He was not advised in advance of the purpose of the meting nor given the option to have someone accompany him. The CEO advised that he had not met sales target, customers were cancelling orders because they could not get through to customer care, that installations were taking too long , and that this was a new experience for the company. He held the worker responsible for this downturn in business. The worker stated it sounds as if you want me gone, to which the CEO replied, “well, yes basically” The worker explained that they were understaffed, that customers sometimes cancel because installation will be delayed. The respondent CEO told him that he was saying the wrong things and that he had to fight for his job. The employer asked him for his key card on the 26 September. His laptop was removed and not returned unlike other...