Courts / Ireland / Report

Solicitor who danced at wedding after writing of 'heightened anxiety' in workplace wins claim over pregnancy dismissal

Summary

Orla Howe, a solicitor, claimed she was dismissed after notifying her employer of her pregnancy and heightened anxiety about working in the office during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The Workplace Relations Commission found that the dismissal was discriminatory under the Employment Equality Act 1998. The tribunal noted that the firm, HCA Law, had not reduced its headcount when Ms Howe was terminated and had instead recruited new staff, indicating the dismissal was not a genuine redundancy. The commission also rejected the claim that the firm breached the European Pregnant Workers' Directive, as Ms Howe had not been compelled to work in the office and could work from home. Ms Howe was awarded €30,000 in compensation for the discriminatory dismissal. The decision was made by adjudicating officer Marie Flynn.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Solicitor who danced at wedding after writing of 'heightened anxiety' in workplace wins claim over pregnancy dismissal. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• August 17th 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
• September 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
• 19 November Hearing Or Sentence
• 20 August Hearing Or Sentence
• March 2021 Other
• December 2021 Other
• 2023-07-06 Publication

Why: The Workplace Relations Commission rejected the employer's defence that the dismissal was a genuine redundancy – noting that the law office's headcount remained the same because another solicitor was hired when Ms Howe was let go. Defence account reported by CNI

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report