Labour Court rejects Karavajeva’s unfair dismissal appeal

The Labour Court rejected Viktorija Karavajeva’s unfair dismissal appeal against Martin Quigley (Nenagh) Ltd, affirming the Rights Commissioner’s finding that she was not unfairly dismissed. The determination was signed on 11 April 2016. Karavajeva argued that reduced hours after maternity leave and their effect on certain social welfare payments left her no choice but to resign. The employer said trading conditions had reduced available hours and that she had confirmed she could work two to three days a week. The Court relied on signed meeting minutes recording that arrangement and noted that Karavajeva had not used the employer’s grievance procedure to raise concerns about her hours before resigning. It found the employer’s conduct had not left her with no alternative but to end her employment.