€55,000 recommended for manager dismissed during probation

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

A Workplace Relations Commission adjudication officer has recommended that an unnamed research foundation pay a former manager €55,000 after finding that her dismissal during probation was unfair.

Michael McEntee recommended that the parties accept the dismissal was unfair and that the worker receive a lump sum equivalent to one year’s pay. His recommendation under the Industrial Relations Act 1969 was dated 28 November 2023.

The manager worked for the foundation from 27 June to 20 December 2022. She said she had attempted to introduce changes but was resisted by a longstanding staff member, referred to as Ms X, and had not received support from the board.

The employer said the manager’s probation was unsuccessful because of concerns about her ability to get on with longstanding team members. It said she should have been able to resolve the interpersonal issues and encourage a good working environment.

The adjudicator said the manager had faced considerable opposition from Ms X and that management had failed to support her properly. He said notices admitted to have been posted by the staff member included “No Irish need apply”, although the manager was the only non-Irish person on the administrative staff. He said the posters should have prompted an immediate senior management response and consideration of disciplinary procedures.

Mr McEntee also stated that Ms X was not represented at the hearing and that he could rely only on oral, basically hearsay evidence and written reports of meetings. He concluded that the employer’s reliance on the manager having failed probation was not an adequate response in the circumstances.