A dispute between a worker and the Saolta Hospital Group has been resolved after Fórsa pursued the matter to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) for adjudication. The disagreement stemmed from unfair refusal and repeated delays by management in processing the worker's claim for upgrading under a national job evaluation scheme. 

The case was brought before the WRC, with both parties presenting their arguments. Janet Hughes, the Adjudication Officer, facilitated discussions between the worker and the employer representatives, including Fórsa and Saolta human resources. 

Following discussions, the worker was awarded €8,000 compensation for the extensive delays encountered in signing off on the job evaluation form over a 3-year period. Additionally, the worker will receive incremental progression for the period the application was delayed.

Job evaluation is a process for working out the relative worth of posts in an organisation based on the work a post-holder is doing or is expected to do. It is carried out so that fair levels of pay for different jobs can be set, rather than be based on subjective criteria or assumptions. 

 “We believe that every worker should have the right to have their job evaluated, to ensure workers are getting the appropriate pay for the work that they do,” said Michael Kerrigan, industrial relations officer with Fórsa. 

“The job evaluation scheme in the HSE was hard fought for by Fórsa and we will continue to ensure the integrity of the scheme for our members. This case further shows the importance of being a member of a trade union to enhance and protect terms and conditions.”  

The Saolta University Health Care Group provides acute and specialist hospital services to the West and North West of Ireland – counties Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, and adjoining counties.

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