Salesman gets €60k compensation after targets trebled
An Employment Appeals Tribunal found Christopher Melligan, from Carpenterstown, Dublin, was unfairly dismissed by bosses at Karmarton Ltd when they imposed a tough new pay and bonus scheme on him.
The tribunal ruled the company, based at City West Business Campus, Saggart, Co Dublin, brought in unfair sales targets and work practices effectively forcing Mr Melligan out of work.
Branded a hothead by his employers, Mr Melligan claimed he was unfairly dismissed after he found it virtually impossible to continue in the job when his contract was radically rewritten.
Despite finding in his favour, the tribunal said the salesman played a part in a breakdown of working relations when he used “shocking” language in an email to a manager and upset management with his behaviour.
The ruling said management was trying to impose massive changes in Mr Melligan’s work practices such as keeping him out on the road and limiting his contact with the office.
The €60,000 award was more than double his annual salary at Karmarton.
“There did not seem to be a logical explanation for the drastic changes being suggested other than to keep the claimant out of the office,” the ruling said. “Using customers’ fax machines and getting a hands-free phone kit were all by way of a smoke screen to disguise the fact that the aim appeared to be to make the claimant’s working day as difficult and awkward as possible.”
Mr Melligan, who sold hand-dryers to wholesalers and electrical contractors, was employed by the company for just over a year, during which time his original sales target of €390,000 per year was increased to more than €970,000.
The tribunal said he came under immense pressure as he watched the salary he thought he had secured when he took the job “being whittled away”.
The compensation took into account the fact that Mr Melligan may find it hard to get new employment due to his age.
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