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.
The ruling serves as a clear reminder that employers must treat all employees — especially those facing health challenges — with fairness, dignity, and respect.
What Happened?
Ms Doyle had worked with Applus Car Testing Ltd since 2001. After suffering a fall in December 2020, she developed ongoing medical complications that affected her mobility and dexterity.
Despite regular assessments by the company’s occupational health consultants, which confirmed she was unfit for work, Ms Doyle remained hopeful she could return on shorter hours or through remote work. Her request, however, was declined.
Then, in February 2024, she received a phone call from HR informing her that her employment was being terminated — a decision she later appealed, only to find the process “a joke,” as she described it.
The WRC’s Decision
The WRC found that the company failed to engage with Ms Doyle’s complaints and did not attend the hearing. The adjudicator, Catherine Byrne, accepted Ms Doyle’s testimony as credible and noted that dismissing a worker of such long service by phone was “perfunctory” and discriminatory.
Ms Byrne ruled that Ms Doyle’s dismissal was influenced by her illness and that the company had failed to provide reasonable accommodation for her condition.
- €11,000 was awarded for disability discrimination, and
- €2,200 for unpaid annual leave,
bringing the total to €13,200 (tax-free).
What This Case Teaches Us
This ruling is a stark reminder that:
- Disability is protected under Irish employment law. Employers must explore reasonable adjustments before considering termination.
- Dismissals must be handled with care and process. A simple phone call is not an acceptable or lawful way to end someone’s employment.
- Long service deserves respect. After 23 years of dedication, every worker deserves to be treated with empathy and fairness.
At Employment Matters, we stand with workers who have been unfairly dismissed, discriminated against, or denied their legal rights — and we help them seek justice through the proper legal channels.
Need Advice?
If you believe you’ve been treated unfairly because of illness, disability, or workplace discrimination, you’re not alone.
👉 Our team at Employment Matters can help.
We provide confidential, fixed-fee consultations to assess your case and explain your options clearly.
📞 Contact us today or visit our website to learn more about your rights.
