The Workplace Relations Commission upheld Teresa Quinn’s constructive dismissal complaint against Cora Systems Limited and awarded her €45,000 in compensation. The decision was dated 15 December 2022.
Quinn worked as the company’s chief financial officer before resigning in July 2018. Cora Systems denied that she was constructively dismissed and said she had other ways to pursue her grievances. Constructive dismissal is when an employee resigns because an employer’s conduct makes it unreasonable to stay, or breaches a fundamental term of the employment contract.
The adjudication officer found that Cora Systems’ handling of a skills assessment and Quinn’s grievance, including a retrospective performance review, damaged the relationship of mutual trust and confidence. The officer also found that the grievance investigation was flawed and that the company failed to follow its own procedures for job changes. Quinn had no option but to resign.
The WRC said the award took account of the company’s conduct and its impact on Quinn. It rejected the company’s argument that compensation should be limited to two years of loss. The decision lists two complaint references under the Unfair Dismissals Act.