Courts / Ireland / Report

Finance manager who claimed she'd been treated 'like a waitress' when asked about wine loses discrimination claim

Summary

In April 2024 the Workplace Relations Commission rejected Tracey McGann's equality claim against ERS Genomics. McGann, a former finance manager, alleged that CEO Eric Rhodes treated her "like a waitress" when he asked her to order more wine at a company dinner in October 2022. She also claimed discrimination, victimisation and constructive dismissal under the Employment Equality Act 1998. The commission found no evidence of discrimination or victimisation. It held that Rhodes's request for more wine was based on the assumption that McGann held the corporate credit card, a role that could have been held by any staff member regardless of gender. The commission also rejected McGann's constructive dismissal claim, noting that her resignation followed a short notice period and that the company's decision to hire a finance vice‑president was not a reaction to her part‑time request. The adjudicator concluded that none of the allegations amounted to discrimination or victimisation.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Finance manager who claimed she'd been treated 'like a waitress' when asked about wine loses discrimination claim. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• October 2022 Other
• November 2022 Other
• January 2023 Other
• 2024-04-04 Publication

Why: " "I'm fuzzy on all the details because it was a long time ago. CNI source report

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial

Read the original CNI report