Courts / Kildare / Report
Polish carer wins €1,800 after being told Irish are "nicer and kinder"
Summary
In a case brought under the Employment Equality Act 1998, Swylwia Szuba, a Polish care‑home worker, won €1,800 after her line manager at Hazel Hall Nursing Home in Clane made remarks linking her nationality to a supposedly poorer attitude and compared Polish people to Irish people, calling the latter "nicer and kinder." Szuba, then three months into probation as an activities coordinator, complained that the manager's comments were discriminatory. She raised an informal grievance, received an apology, but the matter was closed without any action against the manager. Later, on 8 April 2024, her probationary employment was terminated on grounds of performance issues. The tribunal found the manager's remarks amounted to racial discrimination and ordered the employer to pay compensation and review its dignity‑at‑work policy within six months. The decision was made by adjudicator Elizabeth Spelman.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Polish carer wins €1,800 after being told Irish are "nicer and kinder". Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- 5 March 2024 Other
- 22 March 2024 Other
- 26 March Other
- 7 April 2024 Other
- 8 April 2024 Other
- 23 April 2024 Other
- 2025-10-24 Publication
Case subjects
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