Courts / Cork / Report

Veteran Ballymaloe worker fails in discrimination claim

Date
2025-11-26

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Cork

County
Cork

Summary

A veteran employee of the Ballymaloe Cookery School, Julija Makejeva, has failed in a discrimination claim against the school following a hearing_or_decision at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). Makejeva alleged discrimination on the grounds of family status under the Employment Equality Act 2000, claiming that new management failed to provide the same flexibility regarding working hours that she had previously received under the founder, Darina Allen. The WRC rejected her complaint, with adjudication officer Emile Daly noting that the complaint had a particular objection to the new managers and had made a bullying complaint against one, which was investigated but not upheld. Solicitor David Pearson for the respondent stated that the school made extensive efforts to accommodate Makejeva's childcare needs, but timekeeping became a persistent issue. Management met with Makejeva on several occasions to address her lateness, and in May 2024, a disciplinary process was launched. In June 2024, company director Toby Allen proposed a temporary part-time working arrangement, which Makejeva declined. She received a verbal warning for persistent failure to adhere to her start time. Following the warning, Makejeva's timekeeping improved, and she informed her bosses that her circumstances had changed, allowing her to start at 8.30am. Adjudicator Lefre de Burgh concluded that Makejeva had provided no evidence of discrimination based on any protected ground and found that the reassignment and associated working arrangements did not amount to discrimination on the grounds of family status.