The WRC rejected Laura Fennell’s claims against Fresh Opportunities Stepaside Limited over unpaid bonuses and gender discrimination in pay. The decision was dated 13 December 2021.
Fennell said male general managers received bonuses while she did not, and claimed €39,000 in unpaid bonuses. The company said bonuses were discretionary and depended on store results and individual performance. It also disputed that Fennell had a contractual entitlement to a bonus.
The WRC found that bonus decisions were based on objective factors, including store performance and the general manager’s individual performance, and that the difference in pay was unrelated to gender. On the wages complaint, it found Fennell’s contract made no provision for a bonus and that the amounts she claimed were not properly payable. Both complaints were not well founded.