The Labour Court rejected Sarah Ryan’s appeal against Supermacs Ireland Limited, finding she had not been unlawfully discriminated against or victimised and was not unfairly dismissed. The determination was dated 23 September 2021.
Ryan alleged sexual harassment by a supervisor, discrimination over a cleaning task and written warning, and victimisation after her union raised grievances and her working hours fell. She also said a letter about possible disciplinary action was victimisation and that she was forced to resign. Supermacs said her hours fluctuated normally, the warning followed her refusal to carry out an instruction and the letter reflected company policy.
The Court found Ryan had not established facts supporting an inference of discrimination over the March events. It found her hours in May were broadly consistent with earlier fluctuations, and the June letter was consistent with company policy; no disciplinary action followed. The Court also found she had not used the available appeal process before resigning. Because it found no discriminatory act within the relevant period, it could not consider her earlier sexual-harassment allegation. The appeal failed.