Courts / Ireland / Report

CEO made wine remark to manager because she had company credit card, WRC hears

Summary

In a Workplace Relations Commission hearing, Eric Rhodes, chief executive of ERS Genomics Ltd, denied that he asked former finance manager Tracey McGann for extra wine because she was a woman. Rhodes said he would have made the same request to a male employee if the company card had been in their possession. McGann, who claims she was treated like a waitress, alleges she was dismissed constructively after raising a grievance and seeking a part‑time role and assistant. She says the company replaced her and that Rhodes told her she would be doing "shit" work if she stayed. Rhodes admitted he had told her she could look for another job. McGann resigned on 16 January 2023, claiming constructive dismissal after a formal grievance was not addressed. The WRC has ordered the company to produce board minutes and an un‑redacted email regarding her replacement. The case is set for cross‑examination tomorrow.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: CEO made wine remark to manager because she had company credit card, WRC hears. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• 16 January 2023 Other
• October 2022 Other
• September 2022 Other
• 2024-01-15 Publication

Why: The CEO of a cutting-edge biotech firm who has been accused of treating its senior finance manager "like a waitress" has said he only asked her about getting more wine at a company dinner because he thought she had a company credit card. CNI source report

Case subjects

Topics

Stage Trial

Read the original CNI report