The Workplace Relations Commission awarded Anna Sheridan €17,500 after finding that Kildare Community Kare Ltd, Martin Flinter and Maureen Roche Flinter discriminated against her on gender grounds related to pregnancy. The decision was dated 7 October 2024.
The WRC found that messages and an email saying Sheridan’s employment had to end for health and safety reasons gave her the understandable impression that she had been dismissed. It accepted the respondents had genuine safety concerns and had tried to offer alternative hours, but found they had not contacted her GP directly. Sheridan said administrative duties could also have been considered; the respondents said little suitable work was available and her job remained open.
The WRC also found Sheridan’s victimisation complaint was not well founded because she had not taken a protected equality-related action before going on health and safety leave.