Protected Disclosure or Pay Dispute? What HR Should Do Before Taking Action
An employee raises concerns about their pay. They also say that something the organisation is doing may be unlawful. Is it: A recent Workplace Relations Commission decision involving Maja Goertz and Educatly Ltd shows why HR needs to answer that question before management reacts. The WRC found that while part of Ms Goertz’s dispute concerned […]
€12,000 WRC Awards: What HR Should Build Into Frontline Equality Training
Two linked Workplace Relations Commission decisions involving Affidea Diagnostics Ireland Limited provide a useful case study for HR teams responsible for equality policies, customer-facing training and manager guidance. The cases arose from the same visit to Affidea’s Dundrum clinic by Mehr un Nisa, a 75-year-old Pakistani woman, and her daughter, Dr Shereen Gul. The WRC […]
Investigation, Mediation or Management Action? A Practical Guide for Employers
Workplace issues are often made more difficult by starting the wrong process. A complaint is received and an investigation begins automatically. Two employees are in conflict and the matter is treated as misconduct. Performance concerns continue for months without clear standards being set. A grievance and an existing performance issue are combined into the same […]
€10,800 WRC Award After Employee Reports Manager: 7 Questions Employers Should Ask Before Redundancy
An employee raises a serious concern about their manager. A redundancy is also being considered. What should the employer do? A recent Workplace Relations Commission decision shows why those two issues need to be handled very carefully. A phone-shop employee reported what he regarded as an “irregular practice” by his manager to a company director. […]
€10,000 WRC Award After Pregnancy Disclosure: 7 Lessons for Employers Changing Working Hours
An employer can have a genuine business reason for reducing working hours. Costs may need to be reduced. A business may be restructuring. Demand may have changed. Staffing requirements may have altered. But when a proposed reduction follows closely after an employee announces that she is pregnant, the employer needs to be particularly careful about […]
When a Safety Complaint Turns Into a Disciplinary Issue: 7 Questions Employers Should Ask Early
A workplace issue can become significantly more difficult when two things happen at the same time. An employee raises a health and safety concern. Management, however, believes the employee is refusing to follow an instruction or failing to carry out part of their role. At that point, the employer may begin thinking in disciplinary terms. […]
Received a WRC Complaint? 7 Things Employers Should Do Before the Hearing
A Workplace Relations Commission complaint landing in an employer’s inbox can immediately create pressure. There may be deadlines to meet, allegations to answer, records to gather and employees or managers who need to be spoken to. The natural reaction can be to start writing a defence straight away. But that should not necessarily be the […]
New EU Regulation Will Speed Up GDPR Complaints — What Employers Need to Know
A new EU Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2025/2518) has been introduced to streamline how GDPR complaints are handled when they involve more than one EU Member State. While the GDPR rules themselves are not changing, this Regulation will significantly affect how quickly complaints are investigated and resolved. At present, cross-border GDPR complaints can take years to […]
Excluded From Promotion Because You Work Part-Time? A Pharmacist Has Been Awarded €20,000
Excluded From Promotion Because You Work Part-Time? The WRC Says That Can Be Discrimination Many people choose part-time or job-share roles to balance work with family responsibilities, caring duties, or health needs. But what happens when working part-time quietly blocks your career progression? A recent decision from the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has delivered an […]
Dismissed by Video Call and Told It Was “No Fault”? The WRC Just Awarded €180,00
Dismissed by Video Call and Told It Was “No Fault”? Here’s What the WRC Says Being dismissed is difficult at the best of times — but being told by video call, while on sick leave, that you’re being let go “through no fault of your own” can feel particularly unfair. A recent Workplace Relations Commission […]
Health Service Worker Awarded €86,717 After WRC Finds Severe Sexual Harassment and Employer Failures
WRC criticises employer for failing to suspend alleged perpetrator and for leaving victim unsupported for over a year. Introduction A hospital employee has been awarded €86,717 in compensation after the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found she was subjected to repeated and escalating sexual harassment by a senior colleague — and left without meaningful employer protection […]
Labour Court Recommends Back Pay of up to €32,000 for HSE Managers
The Labour Court has ruled in favour of senior HSE managers who missed out on a 5% pay rise during post-crash austerity cuts. Introduction In a recent Labour Court recommendation, around 350 senior HSE and voluntary hospital managers are set to receive back pay of up to €32,000 each following a long-running dispute over pay […]
Chinese Chef Forced to Repay Wages Awarded €155,000 by WRC After Shocking Exploitation Case
Imagine working over 70 hours a week — only to be left with €60 in your pocket.That was the harsh reality for Xiaofeng Gao, a Chinese chef employed at a Cavan takeaway, who was forced to repay most of his wages to cover illegal recruitment fees. In a major victory for workers’ rights, the Workplace […]
NCT Worker Dismissed by Phone Wins €13,200 at WRC for Disability Discrimination
Introduction: A Shocking End to 23 Years of Service After more than two decades of loyal service, Anne Doyle, a call centre worker for Ireland’s NCT testing contractor, was dismissed over the phone while recovering from illness. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has now awarded her €13,200 in compensation for disability discrimination and unpaid wages. […]
Doctor Wins €91,000 After Being Forced Out in Beauty Clinic Dispute
Aesthetic doctor awarded unpaid wages and compensation after being discriminated against on disability grounds.Introduction A recent Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ruling has awarded Dr Paul Coughlan, a leading cosmetic doctor, over €91,000 following a dispute with his former employer, Yung Medical Aesthetics. The case highlights two critical issues for Irish employers — the unlawful withholding […]
Irish Rail Ordered to Repay Worker After Unlawful Wage Deductions
Even large employers must follow strict rules when it comes to employee pay. A recent Labour Court decision involving Irish Rail confirmed that employers cannot take money directly from a worker’s wages unless the employee consents or it’s clearly stated in their contract. The ruling, which ordered Irish Rail to repay €4,900 to one of […]
Beauty Salon Ordered to Pay €11,000 After Worker Was Paid Just €5 an Hour
Introduction Every worker deserves fair pay for their time, skill, and effort. Yet, a recent Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) case revealed how a Dublin beauty salon underpaid a staff member and withheld her tips, leaving her earning little more than €5 an hour. The salon, Good Place Beauty Ltd on South William Street, has now […]
Teacher Awarded €42,000 After Gender Discrimination in Job Selection – What This Means for Employees
IntroductionGender discrimination is not always easy to spot, but it can cause lasting damage to a person’s career and confidence. A recent decision by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) highlighted this reality. A substitute teacher, Aoife Cleary, received over €42,000 in compensation after she was denied a job because of her gender. At Employment Matters, […]
Security Guard Awarded €7,500 After Sexual Harassment at Work
A Dublin-based security guard has been awarded €7,500 by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) after being subjected to sexual harassment and abuse by managers while working at a shopping centre. The case was brought under the Employment Equality Act 1998, which protects workers against discrimination and harassment in the workplace. The Allegations Patrick Kinsella, a […]
Tech Company Ordered to Pay €445,440 to Irish Founder Over Unfair Dismissal
In one of the largest unfair dismissal awards in Ireland to date, the Labour Court has ordered music composition software company Hyph to pay €445,440 in compensation to its Irish founder, Mick Kiely. Mr Kiely, who was earning €326,000 annually as CEO of Hyph Ireland Ltd, was dismissed in November 2021 following a dispute with […]
WRC Rules Retail Worker Faced Disability Discrimination Over Shift Hours
Introduction:A recent Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ruling highlights the importance of employers providing reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities. The case involved a deli assistant with multiple sclerosis (MS) who felt forced to resign after her request for shorter working hours was not guaranteed by her employer. Case Background:The worker, employed for seven years at […]
Transgender Volunteer Awarded €5,000 for Discrimination by Youth Group
Introduction The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has ruled that a transgender volunteer was discriminated against by a youth group after it voted to exclude him from working with younger children because of his gender identity. The tribunal awarded the volunteer €5,000 in compensation for breaches of the Equal Status Act 2000. This decision highlights the […]
Child with Nut Allergy Forced Out of Creche: WRC Rules Discrimination
A Family Left with No Choice A two-year-old girl was forced to leave her creche after being diagnosed with a severe nut allergy. The creche told her parents it was “not prepared to take responsibility” for her condition. The child had been happy and settled there since she was 18 months old. But once her […]
Traveller Community Salesman Receives Compensation After Leaving Job Over Discrimination
Introduction Discrimination in the workplace has no place in a fair and respectful society. Yet, as this recent Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ruling shows, it remains an issue that continues to affect workers in Ireland. A salesman from the Traveller Community has been awarded compensation after leaving his job just two-and-a-half weeks in, following repeated […]
Ireland’s Unemployment Falls in August — But Are We Really in the Clear?
Introduction Ireland’s unemployment rate fell to 4.7% in August 2025, down from 4.8% in July, according to the latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures. On the surface, this seems like good news — fewer people are unemployed, and job growth remains strong. But here’s the catch: the unemployment rate is still higher than August 2024, […]
Traveller Discrimination Case: WRC Orders Homesavers to Pay €13,000 to Former Supervisor
Traveller Supervisor Awarded €13,000 in Discrimination Case Against Homesavers The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has ordered Homesavers to pay €13,000 in compensation to Mark O’Connor, a former supervisor at the retailer’s Bunclody store in Co. Wexford, after finding he was unfairly dismissed and discriminated against due to being a member of the Traveller Community. Background […]
Bonnington Hotel Ordered to Pay €26,000 for ‘Sham Redundancy’ After Carpenter’s Unfair Dismissal
Introduction In a landmark ruling, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has ordered the operators of Dublin’s Bonnington Hotel to pay €26,000 in compensation to former carpenter Donal Finnegan, after finding that his redundancy was a “sham” and his dismissal unfair and unlawful. This case highlights the importance of following fair redundancy procedures and respecting employee […]
Arts Manager Wins €55,000 for Unfair Dismissal — Now Seeks Reinstatement Through Labour Court
Introduction A recent case involving former arts manager Linda O’Shea Farren highlights the complexities of unfair dismissal claims in Ireland and raises important questions about employee reinstatement after Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) rulings. While Ms O’Shea Farren was awarded €55,000 in compensation after successfully bringing an unfair dismissal claim against the Contemporary Music Centre (CMC), […]
Key Employment Law Updates Coming in 2025: Pregnancy Loss Leave, Insolvency Protections & Retirement Rights
Introduction Irish employment law is set to undergo significant changes in 2025, with several key Bills currently progressing through the Oireachtas. These reforms aim to strengthen employee protections, modernise workplace policies, and provide greater clarity for employers. In this blog, we break down the three most important proposed changes and explain what employers and employees […]
Teacher Awarded €85,000 After Discriminatory Interview Comment About Maternity Leave
Teacher Awarded €85,000 After Maternity Leave Discrimination in Job Interview A Westmeath primary school has been ordered to pay €85,000 in compensation to teacher Emily Williams after the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found she was discriminated against during a job interview because of her family status. The incident occurred during an interview for a fixed-term […]
Sommelier Wins Unpaid Wages Claim After Shanahan’s on the Green Closure
Sommelier Wins €4,272 Unpaid Wages Claim After Shanahan’s on the Green Closure When Dublin’s famous restaurant Shanahan’s on the Green abruptly shut its doors last year, staff were left unpaid and uncertain about their future. Now, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has awarded one of its long-serving employees, Cormac Thunder, a total of €4,272 for […]
Manager Wins €22,500 After ‘Joke’ Sext Leads to Unfair Dismissal
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has awarded €22,500 in compensation to a financial services manager who was unfairly dismissed after sending a sexually explicit text from a colleague’s phone “as a joke.” The tribunal ruled that while the behaviour amounted to sexual harassment, the company’s handling of the case was deeply flawed. It also found […]
WRC Awards €50,000 to New Mother Denied Part-Time Hours After Maternity Leave
A new mother has won €50,000 in compensation after her employer refused to let her return to work part-time following maternity leave. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found the company, Net Smart Security Ltd, discriminated against her on the grounds of gender and family status under the Employment Equality Act 1998. Request for Flexible Hours […]
Why Working While Sick Hurts You — and Your Employer
Introduction You wake up with a pounding headache, a scratchy throat, and a fever. Your body says stay in bed, but your mind whispers, you should log in or show up anyway. This pressure to work through illness — known as presenteeism — is more common than you might think, and it’s harming both workers […]
Founder Wins €85,000 After Salary Stopped: Lessons on Constructive Dismissal
Founder Wins €85,000 After Salary Stopped in Workplace Dispute The founder of a clothing brand for breast cancer patients has been awarded almost €85,000 after her salary was cut off. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ruled she was constructively dismissed from her role at Theya Healthcare Ltd, a company she had built over a decade. […]
Worker Forced to Retire at 65 Wins €18,000 in Age Discrimination Case
Long-Serving Employee Wins Age Discrimination Case A 65-year-old factory worker has won €18,000 in compensation after being forced to retire against his wishes. Liam Murphy, from Shannon, Co Clare, had worked for Deepak Fasteners for 45 years. When he reached 65 in February 2022, he asked to stay on for one more year until reaching […]
Turkey Farm Worker Wins Redundancy Payment for 20 Years’ Seasonal Work
She worked season after season — for 20 years.Then the farm shut down — and tried to claim she had no right to redundancy. In a landmark ruling, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has awarded statutory redundancy for two decades of seasonal work to Teresa Kane, a poultry farm worker from Carlow. Ms Kane worked […]
Mechanic Awarded €5,418 After Employer Fails to Pay Minimum Wage
Mechanic Wins €5,418 for Unpaid Wages: WRC Confirms Apprentice Status Doesn’t Excuse Minimum Wage Breach When 20-year-old Moeez Ahmad stepped into a motor garage in Co. Wexford, he didn’t expect to work full-time without being paid. But after nearly three months on the job, he walked away empty-handed — until the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) […]
Tesco Ordered to Rehire Worker After ‘Useless’ Comment Ruled Not Grounds for Dismissal
Tesco Worker Wins WRC Case After Being Fired Over Manager Comment A recent ruling by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has found that Tesco acted disproportionately when it dismissed a long-serving warehouse employee who called his manager “useless” during a performance review. The WRC has ordered that the worker be re-engaged by mid-August, with the […]
Chef Awarded €39,000 by WRC After Unfair Treatment by Camile Franchise
A recent Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) decision has brought much-needed attention to employment rights violations, especially for migrant workers. Sujeer Thayyil, a chef employed by a Camile Thai franchise, has been awarded €39,413.98 in compensation after his employer failed to honour statutory entitlements and attempted to change his employment terms without consent. What Happened? Mr […]
DHL Ordered to Pay €18,000 Redundancy Over ‘Unreasonable’ Commute
Long Commute Ends 15-Year Job The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has ruled in favour of a former DHL warehouse worker who turned down a job transfer that would have added hours to his daily commute. Oscar Solano Fernandez, who worked at DHL’s Clondalkin warehouse for over 15 years, was awarded more than €18,000 in redundancy […]
Former Bohemian FC coach Awarded €26,000 for ‘Sham’ Redundancy by Bohemian FC
A Harsh Reality for a Loyal Coach In a decision that’s making headlines, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) awarded David Henderson €26,000 after ruling that Bohemian FC wrongfully dismissed him under the guise of redundancy. The tribunal described the dismissal as “ruthless and dishonest”, and said the club fabricated misconduct allegations in an attempt to […]
Unfairly Dismissed Over a Private Call: What the €10,000 WRC Award Means for Irish Employees
Unfair Dismissal Over Private Conversations: What Every Irish Employee Should Know When does a conversation with HR cross the line — and who gets to decide? A recent ruling by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has reignited the debate about employee privacy, transparency in disciplinary processes, and the importance of fair procedures in the workplace. […]
Irish Rail Worker Awarded €12,000 for Unfair Dismissal After Crane Incident
Was it reckless or responsible? That’s the question the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) had to weigh in a recent case involving Irish Rail employee Liam Óg Lynch, who was awarded €12,000 after being unfairly dismissed following a workplace crane incident. In March 2023, Mr Lynch took control of a gantry crane after seeing that its […]
Manager Wins €10,000 After Unfair Dismissal Over Cleaner’s Dyed Hair – A Lesson in Due Process
A manager has been awarded €10,000 in compensation after she was unfairly dismissed for sending a cleaner home over her blue hair dye. Michelle Murray worked as a client services manager with Cagney Maintenance Service Ltd for 17 years. In March 2023, she asked a team leader, Sylvia Sanchez, to leave a prominent Dublin event […]
Finance Manager Wins €35,000 After Raising Audit Concerns: WRC Rules Dismissal Unfair
In a powerful new ruling from the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), a finance manager has been awarded nearly €35,000 after being unfairly dismissed by a charity. The WRC determined that the dismissal stemmed “wholly or mainly” from the manager’s decision to raise red flags about financial discrepancies and potential audit issues. This case, which highlights […]
Demoted After Maternity Leave: Coca-Cola Ordered to Pay €68,000 in Workplace Discrimination Case
What Happens When a Career Takes a Hit After Maternity Leave? Returning to work after maternity leave should be a time of support, stability, and equal treatment. Unfortunately, for one marketing executive at Coca-Cola, it became a moment of career derailment—and led to a landmark €68,000 award for discrimination by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). […]
WRC Orders Employer to Pay €27,000 After Salesman Misled Over Unpaid Wages
At Employment Matters, we stand with employees who fight for fair treatment in the workplace. A recent decision by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) highlights how serious it is when employers withhold wages. A salesman has won over €27,000 from his former employer — a technology firm — after waiting months for his wages and […]
Can I Be Fired for Making a Personal Injury Claim Against My Employer?
If you’re injured at work and consider making a personal injury claim against your employer, you may be worried about your job security.It’s a reasonable concern — after all, making a claim might feel awkward or challenging — but under Irish employment law, you should not be dismissed or suffer unfair treatment simply for exercising […]
Financial Adviser Awarded Over €48,000 After Unfair Dismissal
Introduction A recent Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) decision highlights the importance of fair disciplinary procedures for employers in Ireland. Caitriona Nic Aodha, a financial adviser, won over €48,000 after being dismissed without a proper chance to respond to serious bullying allegations. What Happened in This Case? Ms Nic Aodha worked as a financial adviser at […]