WRC dismisses unfair dismissal complaint against Tyco Ireland after fixed-term exemption applied

The Workplace Relations Commission dismissed Nadine Hughes-Campbell’s unfair dismissal complaint against Tyco Ireland Limited t/a Johnson Controls International after finding that the fixed-term contract exemption applied. Adjudication Officer Michael McEntee dated the decision 4 May 2022. Hughes-Campbell said her contract was not renewed after she submitted maternity leave paperwork and alleged the decision was linked to her pregnancy. The employer said the contract expired normally and that a Covid-related global hiring freeze prevented renewal. The WRC found the contract was written, signed and included the required exclusion clause, so the complaint could not proceed under the Unfair Dismissals Act. The decision did not determine the pregnancy arguments raised under other legislation. A linked industrial relations complaint was withdrawn.