Courts / Ireland / Report

AI skincare scientist wins claim after company closed during maternity leave

Summary

Aoife McHugh, a senior scientist at Rinocloud Limited, won a decision from the Workplace Relations Commission awarding her €11,500 in addition to a statutory redundancy lump sum after she returned from maternity leave to find the company closed. McHugh had begun maternity leave on 20 February 2023 and was scheduled to return on 6 November 2023. She was given a redundancy warning on 23 February and told she would receive a month's notice pay and payment in lieu of statutory leave entitlements, but received none. The company closed in 2023, and McHugh was locked out of IT systems. The tribunal found no evidence of pregnancy discrimination, noting the company's closure was due to financial difficulties.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: AI skincare scientist wins claim after company closed during maternity leave. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 20 February 2023 Other
• 6 November Other
• 23 February Hearing Or Sentence
• November 2023 Other
• 4 December Hearing Or Sentence
• September 2021 Other
• 2025-03-14 Publication

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report