Paddy Power workers awarded €750-€1,000 each for denial of rest breaks

Fourteen Mandate Trade Union members employed by Paddy Power Betfair Plc have been awarded between €750 and €1000 each by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) for the denial of rest breaks.

The workers, through their Union, successfully took the cases under the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997.

Mandate say the WRC adjudication officer found the company to be in breach of the Act and urged more Paddy Power workers to come forward to prosecute claims where merited.

Mandate has written to the company seeking a meeting to discuss the implications of the WRC’s decision.

John Douglas, Mandate General Secretary said:

“These decisions vindicate our members in their claims and I congratulate them on their successful cases. There are tens of thousands of workers in Ireland currently being denied their rights at work because their employer believes the law shouldn’t apply to them. We’re here to tell them that it does.”

He added, “All workers should protect themselves against breaches such as this and should join their trade union in order to ensure their rights are upheld.”

Mr Douglas warned Paddy Power workers of requests from management to “single-man” shops.

“Workers should not put themselves at risk by working alone for prolonged periods and should take precautions at all times, including shutting the store if necessary. Paddy Power is a highly profitable business and can afford to sufficiently staff their premises so that workers are safe and can avail of their legal right to rest periods.”

Mandate intends to serve a comprehensive claim on Paddy Power Betfair regarding pay scales, step up duty pay and premium payments, among other issues in the coming days.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITOR

A sample case is available here.

Since the decisions, the company have now notified all staff of rest break entitlements as follows:

• A 15 minute break when you have worked for 4 ½ hours.
• If you work more than 6 hours you are entitled to 30 minute break, which can include the first 15-minute break.
• If you work more than 6 hours and the hours of work include the period 11.30am–2.30pm you are entitled to a one-hour consecutive break which must occur between 11.30am–2.30pm.

Join Mandate Trade Union today.