The Labour Court upheld the decision that Meath County Council did not discriminate against Deirdre McDermott and dismissed her appeal. The determination was signed on 7 August 2013.
McDermott said pregnancy and maternity leave affected her chances in a recruitment competition and the duties assigned when she returned to work. The Council denied discrimination.
The Court found the work assigned after her return was appropriate to her grade and that she had identified no detriment from the change in duties. It also found the planning course was not necessary for her work and found no link between the decision not to send her and a protected ground.
The complaint about being placed second in the recruitment competition was brought outside the time limit. The Court refused an extension and found the complaint was not well founded; the merits were not decided. The Equality Officer’s decision was upheld and the appeal was not allowed.