Courts / Ireland / Report

Tobacco firm ordered to pay manager €40k

Summary

Ireland's largest tobacco distributor, JTI (Ireland) Ltd, was ordered to pay €40,000 to former manager Caroline McGarry after a Workplace Relations Commission adjudicator found that the company had unfairly dismissed her. McGarry, who had worked for the firm for 13 years, claimed she was forced to resign because her stress‑related health issues were not adequately addressed. She had taken sick leave in 2021 following a GP recommendation for anti‑anxiety medication and a phased return to work. In April 2022, the company placed her on a performance improvement plan based on a review that had not been reassessed after her leave. McGarry's letter of 25 April 2022 was deemed a "cry for help," and the adjudicator noted that the company failed to respond properly to her grievances. The decision awarded her six months' pay as compensation for unfair dismissal.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Tobacco firm ordered to pay manager €40k. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• April 2021 Other
• January 2022 Incident
• April 2022 Incident
• June 2022 Other
• 25 April Other
• 2023-10-31 Publication

Why: The employee, Caroline McGarry, said she was forced to quit her job of 13 years with JTI (Ireland) Ltd because her bosses made no response of any substance to a letter she termed a "cry for help" — and she decided she had to make her health the priority. CNI source report

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report