Courts / Dublin / Report
'Burned out' bra saleswoman wins €15k for constructive dismissal
Summary
Karrin Breslin, a lingerie saleswoman who had worked for Chantelle Lingerie Ltd for nearly twenty years, won €15,800 for constructive dismissal after the Workplace Relations Commission found that the company repudiated her contract by failing to address her health‑related grievances. Breslin claimed that the department store's understaffing and rostering after the Covid‑19 lockdown caused her mental and physical health to deteriorate, leading to anxiety, low mood, high blood pressure and gastrointestinal problems. She had taken seven periods of certified medical leave between January 2022 and summer 2023 and ultimately resigned on 31 October 2023 after her last shift on 25 June 2023. The adjudicator, Patricia Owens, ruled that Chantelle's failure to resolve serious roster and staffing issues amounted to a repudiation of contract, awarding Breslin full losses for five months' unemployment. The case was heard under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977. The disability discrimination complaint was struck out of time.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Burned out' bra saleswoman wins €15k for constructive dismissal. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- May 2021 Other
- June 2022 Other
- January 2022 Other
- June 2023 Other
- 25 June 2023 Other
- 31 October Other
- October 2021 Other
- 2025-07-22 Publication
Why: Ms Breslin's case was that her job was made "overwhelming and physically hard" because of these issues and that she began to experience anxiety, low mood, high blood pressure and gastrointestinal problems "as a result of work-related stress". CNI source report
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