Consequences of non-compliance

If an employer doesn’t abide by the statutory sick leave entitlements, an employee can take a claim to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

If an employee is successful in such a claim, an Adjudication Officer may award compensation that they consider ‘just and equitable having regard to all circumstances.’ However, this amount cannot exceed 4 weeks’ remuneration.

An Adjudication Officer’s decision can be appealed to the Labour Court, where again the maximum compensation cannot exceed 4 weeks’ remuneration.