Courts / Ireland / Report

Pat The Baker driver who claimed she was 'treated like an animal' wins unfair dismissal claim

Summary

Patricia Groarke, a van salesperson for Pat The Baker, claimed she was spoken to "like s***" and "treated like an animal" by a shop manager at a SuperValu on 11 November 2023. She said the manager laughed at her, called her "thick", and accused her of throwing produce, an allegation she denied and asked to be checked on camera. Groarke attempted to contact her line manager, who relayed the accusation and said she had resigned. She later wrote to HR about possibly returning to work, but the role had been filled. The Workplace Relations Commission found that the employer withdrew an offer to reconsider and dismissed her without investigation or fair procedure, ruling the dismissal unfair and awarding €3,500 in compensation. The decision confirmed Groarke's service period was sufficient for locus standi.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Pat The Baker driver who claimed she was 'treated like an animal' wins unfair dismissal claim. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• November 14, 2022 Incident
• November 15, 2023 Incident
• November 11, 2023 Incident
• November 14, 2023 Other
• November 15 Other
• 2024-07-02 Publication

Case subjects

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report