Background:

The background to this dispute related to a period when the school principal was on extended leave. When the school principal returned there were two categories of payments made to the Complainant that appeared to be unauthorised. The Respondent submitted that the Complainant was not entitled to these payments and the payments were not sanctioned by the Board of Management.

The Complainant, who was employed as a secretary believed she was authorised by the assistant principal to process these payments. The Complainant managed the payroll for staff who were paid by the school which was separate to the teaching payroll system. The Complainant submitted this system was an informal process and approval for payments was generally orally communicated.