ADJUDICATION OFFICER Recommendation on dispute under Industrial Relations Act 1969
Investigation Recommendation Reference: IR - SC - 00003289
Parties:
| Worker | Employer |
Anonymised Parties | A Teacher | A Language School |
Dispute(s):
Act | Dispute Reference No. | Date of Receipt |
Complaint seeking adjudication by the Workplace Relations Commission under section 13 of the Industrial Relations Act, 1969 | IR - SC - 00003289 | 15/10/2024 |
Workplace Relations Commission Adjudication Officer: Valerie Murtagh
Date of Hearing: 05/03/2025
Procedure:
In accordance with Section 13 of the Industrial Relations Act 1969 (as amended) 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 information relevant to the dispute.
Summary of Workers Case:
The worker was a teacher at the respondent school. He stated that he had serious concerns regarding health and safety matters while he worked at the school. In particular he states that the room in which he was teaching had a window that opened out onto a twenty foot drop. He states that this was a significant and dangerous health and safety matter for students and teachers. |
Summary of Employer’s Case:
The employer representative stated that the within matter is not a trade dispute. He stated that the classroom is ventilated by the window. The employer representative stated that there has been no issues/concerns or any incident with regard to same. It was stated that the building is a listed and preserved building. It was further stated that there was no complaint/ grievance raised by the worker during his tenure at the school. |
Conclusions:
In conducting my investigation, I have taken into account all relevant submissions presented to me by the parties.
Based on the information provided, I note the concerns on behalf of the worker with regard to the health and safety regulations at the respondent school, in particular with regard to the window opening onto a twenty foot drop. In the circumstances, I recommend that the employer undertake a health and safety review in the company to ensure that the regulations are in line with best practice and to ensure the health and safety of students and teachers. |
Recommendation:
Section 13 of the Industrial Relations Act 1969 requires that I make a recommendation in relation to the dispute.
I recommend that the employer undertake a health and safety review in the company to ensure that the regulations are in line with best practice and to ensure the health and safety of students and teachers.
Dated: 1st April 2025
Workplace Relations Commission Adjudication Officer: Valerie Murtagh
Key Words:
Industrial Relations Act |