The Workplace Relations Commission found that Bernadette Ryan was paid less than male colleagues for like work because of her gender and ordered her employer, Erac Ireland Limited Enterprise Flex-E-Rent, to pay €10,000 compensation.
The decision, dated 3 May 2024, concerned Ryan’s pay after she was promoted to assistant depot manager. Ryan said she had been led to expect earnings of about €39,000, but was told the role would bring a 10% increase; the company calculated target earnings of €34,414.38. The company said the other depot managers had greater responsibilities and larger operations.
The adjudicator found that the comparator roles involved like work and that the pay differences were not justified on grounds other than gender. Ryan returned to her former role after declining the promotion’s pay terms.