A tech firm employee has been awarded €126,000 in back pay by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) after her employer failed to pay her salary for 11 months. The worker, who was promised a €150,000 annual salary, received only €11,500 during her tenure. Adjudicator Ewa Sobanska ruled in favor of the claimant, noting the respondent company failed to attend the hearing.
How did the wage dispute unfold?
The claimant, a mother of a child with a disability, transitioned from a permanent, pensionable role in March 2025 to join the tech firm as “head of wellbeing development.” According to her testimony at the WRC hearing in Ennis, Co Clare, she was hired to develop support services for children with mental health difficulties, including an app. However, payroll issues surfaced immediately. The CEO cited a staff member being “away” in the initial weeks, followed by claims that bank accounts were “blocked or flagged” due to incoming investor funds. By the time the matter reached the tribunal, the worker had received only five payments between November 6th and January 28th, totaling €11,500.
What financial impact did the non-payment have?
The financial strain led to severe personal consequences for the employee. Evidence presented to the tribunal detailed how the worker’s mortgage fell into arrears, and she struggled to maintain basic utility payments. She stated that she was “unable to heat her home during freezing weather” and was forced to take her car off the road because she could not afford insurance. Beyond the financial burden, the claimant testified that the situation contributed to “marital difficulties,” resulting in her husband leaving during the period of non-payment. The worker also noted that she believed a team brought in from the UK for development work in May 2025 had similarly not been compensated.
Under the Payment of Wages Act 1991, employees have a legal right to receive their wages in full and on time. When employers fail to meet these obligations, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) acts as the primary body for adjudicating disputes and enforcing claims for unpaid remuneration.
Why did the company fail to defend the claim?
The respondent company chose not to attend the WRC hearing, leaving the worker’s evidence uncontested. Adjudicator Ewa Sobanska described this absence as “regrettable.” In her written decision, Sobanska confirmed that the worker was entitled to 11 months of salary at a rate of €12,500 per month. After deducting the €11,500 already paid, the adjudicator directed the company to pay the outstanding balance of €126,000. The decision, which was anonymized, highlights the risks employees face.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Payment of Wages Act 1991? It is the Irish legislation that protects employees’ rights to receive their earned wages and outlines the process for making a complaint if those wages are withheld.
- What happens if an employer ignores a WRC ruling? WRC decisions are legally binding. If an employer fails to pay, the worker can seek enforcement through the District Court.
- Can I claim for unpaid wages if I am not an employee? The Act primarily covers employees working under a contract of employment. Independent contractors may have different legal avenues for recovering debt.
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