Courts / Ireland / Report

Receptionist says she was sacked for reporting suspicion vet was stealing money

Summary

In April 2023, a veterinary surgery receptionist who had reported suspected theft by a colleague was dismissed and later awarded €15,600 in compensation by the Workplace Relations Commission. The receptionist first noticed cash missing from the clinic's till in September 2021 and reported it to her employer, who dismissed her concerns as unnecessary. She later observed the vet selling medication and pocketing cash, which she reported again. The vet allegedly became hostile, and the employer threatened her with job loss. The tribunal found she had made a protected disclosure and that dismissal was likely due to that disclosure. The decision awarded her 1.5 years' wages for a part‑time role, plus additional amounts for breaches of working time and contract provisions, totaling €16,980. The case highlights alleged retaliation for whistleblowing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Receptionist says she was sacked for reporting suspicion vet was stealing money. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• August 2021 Other
• 16 December 2021 Other
• November 2022 Adjournment
• New Year's Eve Other
• 2023-04-26 Publication

Why: " Later, when she said she found her colleague putting cash from the sale of animal medication in his own wallet, her employer told her there was "nothing" he could do because he could not find a replacement vet, she said. CNI source report

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision Theft

Read the original CNI report