'Crass stupidity' of employer who used WhatsApp emojis in discussion with workers on Covid …

An employment law expert has described as “incredibly stupid” and “crazy” an employer communicating with employees on an important workplace issue via WhatsApp emojis. ublin-based solicitor Richard Grogan made his comment after it emerged that one joinery manufacturing company at the start of the pandemic in March 2020 communicated with employees on their participation in the Government’s Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme through a WhatsApp thumbs up or thumbs down emoji. The employer set up the WhatsApp group to determine who wished to avail of the Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme when the Covid-19 pandemic forced the business to shut down on a temporary basis. An apprentice carpenter who initially replied with a thumbs down emoji was removed from the WhatsApp group and stated that he was informed that if he didn’t wish to participate in the wage subsidy scheme, there would be no job for him when the company re-opened. Mr Grogan said today: “This beggars belief.” The apprentice carpenter brought a case to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), and WRC adjudicator Thomas O’Driscoll has recommended that the employer pay the apprentice carpenter €1,000 compensation for the unfair manner of his dismissal. The employee gave the thumbs down emoji because 70pc of his…
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