The Workplace Relations Commission awarded Julie Fitzpatrick three weeks’ salary for not receiving an initial contract and six weeks’ pay after finding that the Board Of Management Of St.Mary's Cbs failed to explain the objective basis for her fixed-term contracts. The decision was dated 22 July 2026.
Fitzpatrick said she began work in November 2024 but received contracts in December that gave a later start date. The board said the advertised role was for maternity cover and that a busy period delayed issuing the paperwork. The WRC found the contracts left a break in service over Christmas and that only one of three later contracts related to maternity cover.
The WRC rejected her separate allegation that refusal of SPHE training was penalisation, finding she had not established a protected act under the Fixed-Term Work Act. Her Payment of Wages complaint was withdrawn.