The WRC awarded Aisling Power €3,840 for a breach of maternity protection law and €1,920 for unfair dismissal by Wells House & Gardens. The decision was dated 16 November 2022.
Power said that after maternity leave she was not allowed to return to her events manager role and was instead offered a lower-paid gate attendant job. The employer did not attend the hearing. The adjudication officer found the alternative work was unsuitable because it did not match her former management role and qualifications and paid less.
The WRC also found Power was unfairly dismissed. The employer did not provide evidence to refute her claims or show the dismissal was fair. The €1,920 compensation was ordered in addition to the redundancy payment Power had already received.