The Workplace Relations Commission awarded Joanne Maher €17,500 after finding she was unfairly dismissed by Kerr's Tyres Ireland Limited. The decision was dated 2 February 2023.
Maher said her duties changed after a company takeover, she received inadequate training and faced criticism and intimidation. She resigned after raising a formal grievance and appealing when her complaints were not upheld. The company’s managing director said an investigation and appeal were provided, Maher received training and the company followed Covid guidelines.
The adjudication officer found Maher’s evidence credible and said she acted reasonably by using the grievance and appeal procedures. The investigator and appeal officer did not attend the hearing; the grievance investigation had spoken only to Maher. The officer found the handling of her grievance and appeal unreasonable and said Maher made no contribution to her unfair dismissal. Her separate complaint under the Terms of Employment (Information) Act was withdrawn.
The €17,500 compensation award took account of her alternative work, her job search and the loss of redundancy rights. Maher was earning €1.14 less per hour in her new job, but that figure was not the award.