WRC rejects Montessori teacher’s constructive dismissal claim

The WRC rejected Patricia Maher’s constructive dismissal claim against Blarney Montessori School Ltd. (T/A Blarney Montessori Group), finding that the alleged €6.75 pay shortfall did not meet the legal threshold and that she lacked the service needed to bring the claim. The decision was dated 12 June 2024. Maher said the shortfall in her final week’s pay and other treatment led her to resign. The school denied that the amount was owed, but said it paid her the €6.75 within 24 hours after she raised the issue. The officer found the constructive dismissal complaint was not well founded. Three complaints about employment terms and one about a second probationary period were also not well founded. A further complaint about core terms was out of time; the officer also found that aspect not well founded. The officer noted that Maher had received a 14-page contract before starting work and found no confusion about her hours or pay.