Courts / Ireland / Report
Big Tobacco burnout: JTI manager says she had to quit over workplace stress
2023-03-15
Charge Or Pretrial
Summary
In March 2023, former JTI Ireland brand manager Caroline McGarry filed a complaint with the Workplace Relations Commission alleging constructive dismissal after being placed on a performance improvement plan (PIP). McGarry, who had worked for the company for 13 years, said she had been advised by her GP to take sick leave for anxiety triggered by workplace stress. She claimed the company's annual review rated her as "needs improvement" without considering her sick leave and that her concerns about workload and morale were dismissed. McGarry described a gradual build‑up of anxiety symptoms, including sleeplessness and chest pressure, and said she was pressured to remain "steady" despite feeling unsupported. She resigned in September 2023 after the PIP was imposed, stating she had no alternative. The WRC has adjourned the case to a future hearing, with the tribunal expected to consider evidence from her last line manager, Rebecca Crotty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Big Tobacco burnout: JTI manager says she had to quit over workplace stress. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- September 2020 Other
- April 2021 Other
- January 2022 Incident
- April 2022 Incident
- May 2021 Other
- 2023-03-15 Publication
Why: "It was said I was a drain, he found our catch-up meetings 'draining', because there never seemed to be good news," she said, adding that she felt "unsupported" and that what she was doing "wasn't enough". CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Outcome: Adjudicating officer Kara Turner adjourned the matter to a future date, yet to be set by the WRC but no earlier than May, when the tribunal is expected to hear the evidence of Ms McGarry's last line manager, Rebecca Crotty, on behalf of the defence.
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