Rachel Smyth awarded €51,000 for pregnancy discrimination

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Rachel Smyth was awarded €51,000 after the Workplace Relations Commission found Metron Stores Limited discriminated against her on grounds of gender; the decision was reported on 11 October 2024.

The adjudicator found that Smyth was laid off without notice in February 2023, while seven months pregnant, instead of being relocated to another store as discussed. She had been told she would move to Homesavers in Tallaght, where the employer also advertised for a junior buyer.

The WRC also found that the company delayed providing maternity benefit documents until about three months after Smyth gave birth in May 2023, causing considerable stress. The €51,000 award reflected the extent, impact and duration of the discrimination, and was intended to provide a deterrent.