Labour Court rejects Dr Judith Wurmel’s appeal over fixed-term contract

The Labour Court rejected Dr Judith Wurmel’s appeal against a decision that National University of Ireland Galway had not breached the Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Act, 2003. Its determination was dated 9 December 2014. Dr Wurmel argued that after more than four years of continuous fixed-term employment she was entitled to a contract of indefinite duration. The university said the three-year post covered a temporary increase in Chemistry teaching while student numbers and teaching requirements adjusted. The Court found the university had identified additional funding for increased Chemistry student numbers for a limited period. It held that the contract gave objective grounds for the fixed term and affirmed the Rights Commissioner’s decision.