Courts / Ireland / Report

'One of the most egregious examples': Nuns who sacked worker in 'callous' fashion ordered to pay €70k

Summary

An adjudicator ordered the Little Sisters of the Poor to pay Geraldine Baxter €70,560 after she was dismissed in 2023. The dismissal followed a series of allegations, including a false claim that she had falsified annual leave records and that she had worked from home without proper documentation. Baxter, who had worked for the order since 2006, argued that her work‑from‑home arrangements were an established practice and that she had always kept accurate records. The Workplace Relations Commission found that the allegations were based on the fading memory of a nun and that witness statements supporting Baxter's account were inexplicably disregarded. The adjudicator described the case as "extraordinary" and "one of the most egregious examples" of employee mistreatment. He awarded Baxter the maximum compensation under the Unfair Dismissals Act, 104 weeks' pay (€65,520) plus eight weeks' notice pay (€5,040), totaling €70,560. The order was issued in February 2025.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'One of the most egregious examples': Nuns who sacked worker in 'callous' fashion ordered to pay €70k. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• January 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 2022 Other
• June 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• August 2022 Other
• December 2022 Other
• January 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
• June 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
• July 2023 Other
• 2025-02-06 Publication

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report