Allegations against manager on ring buoy inspections rejected as 'hearsay', as unfair dismissal claim is upheld

A manager at Donegal Council who dismissed the county lifeguard supervisor over alleged failures to complete ring buoy safety inspections relied solely on hearsay evidence, the Workplace Relations Commission has found. Lisa Dalton's unfair dismissal claim was upheld on 23 March 2023 following her termination in November 2021. A senior council engineer cited concerns that inspections were not appearing in an app database and that lifeguards had been given the impression the work "didn't matter". Ms Dalton disputed these allegations and stated her own inspections were completed. The adjudicating officer noted the council could not produce the complainant's line manager or officials directly involved in the dismissal process to give evidence. The council also failed to establish a procedural basis for dismissal, having not properly notified Ms Dalton that her probation period remained active. Ms Daly ordered Donegal Council to pay €10,000 compensation, finding the employer had not proven poor work performance contributed to the dismissal. The complainant's claim for over €30,000 in lost earnings was reduced due to insufficient mitigation efforts.