Carlow County Council wins fixed-term contract complaint

The WRC found that Carlow County Council did not breach fixed-term work rules in its employment of Mary Burke, who was employed on a specific purpose contract covering a colleague’s absence. The decision was dated 28 September 2021. Burke argued that she should have received a fixed-term contract, qualified for a contract of indefinite duration, and been given information about vacancies. The Council said her original contract covered maternity leave and a subsequent career break, and that vacancy notices were circulated to employees. The adjudication officer found she remained on one contract throughout her employment, so she could not rely on the rule concerning successive contracts. The officer also found that she received the same vacancy emails as other employees. Both complaint elements were not well founded.