Connolly v Donegal Meat Processors Ltd

• Jurisdiction: Ireland
• Judgment Date: 01 March 1999
• Judgment citation (vLex): [1999] 3 JIEC 0101
• Date: 01 March 1999
• Court: Employment Appeal Tribunal (Ireland)

Employment Appeals Tribunal

Connolly v Donegal Meat Processors Ltd

Abstract:

Unfair Dismissal - Absenteeism and lateness - Demerit procedure - Employees not aware how procedure worked

The employer operated a demerit procedure based on a points system for lateness, leaving early, excused absence and unexcused absence. If an employee reached 75 points he was given a written warning and a counselling session; a 100 points within a 12 period was a dismissal offence. Claimant had 105 points, there was disagreement whether he had received written warnings. The workers were not aware that dismissal happened on reaching 100 points and were unaware of the procedures after 75 points. Claimant dismissed and claimed he received no counselling or warnings.The Tribunal noted the demerit procedure penalised workers by 10 points those who had permission to leave work early. The claimant had received warnings at the 50 and 75 point stages but had not being informed of the action his employer would take on reaching 100 points.The...