Paddy Power faces fresh compensation claims in staff break row

Paddy Power Betfair could be forced to pay out tens of thousands of euros in compensation after a group of Irish staff came forward this week with fresh claims that the operator is not granting employees proper breaks.

In July, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ordered the firm to pay 14 members of the Mandate trade union between €750 (£669/$880) and €1,000 each after ruling the company had breached the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.

At the time, the WRC urged other Paddy Power Betfair workers to come forward with their cases and push for compensation claims.

The Times has this week reported that the WRC has now received a further 56 individual claims alleging the operator denied their legal break entitlements. 

Mandate said Paddy Power Betfair is understaffing its retail division and making the transition to “single-man” shops as part of wider cost-saving measures.

Bill Abom, an organiser for Mandate, warned that the union plans to lodge fresh cases every six months until the operator takes permanent action over the issue.

Paddy Power Betfair declined a request from iGamingBusiness.com to comment on the case.

Shortly after the July ruling, Paddy Power Betfair said it sent all workers a policy document that outlined the law in terms of breaks, including a requirement for staff to report all missed breaks to head office.

However, according to The Times, some employees that made a report said they were criticised by senior staff for not taking breaks when the shop was less busy.

Employees have argued that there are no set peak times for retail stores and senior staff only referenced till records, which do not include administration work duties.

Image: Edward Hands