In 2003, the Labour Court upheld a finding that Eircom Limited discriminated against Bridget Boland in promotion decisions and awarded her €4,000 in compensation for arrears of pay. The determination was dated 24 January 2003.
Eircom appealed the discrimination finding and related recommendations. Boland also appealed, seeking appointment to an acting-up position and implementation of the recommendation. The Court rejected Eircom’s appeal, upheld the recommendation in full and partly upheld Boland’s appeal, recommending her appointment to the next acting-up position available.
The Court accepted that Boland’s experience, skills and seniority were at least equal to those of the male appointees. Eircom cited sickness absence, credit-management experience and assertiveness as reasons for passing her over. The Court found that management had not raised the assertiveness criticism with her and that Eircom had not given sufficient reasons to rebut the discrimination finding.