Image: Eamonn Farrell Image: Eamonn Farrell DISCOUNT RETAILER MR Price has been ordered to pay €20,000 in compensation for discriminating against a former worker who had her employment terminated while on maternity leave.
The WRC heard that Ms Balan had taken maternity leave two weeks earlier than expected in March 2020 due to chronic back pain related to her pregnancy. WRC adjudication officer Penelope McGrath said it seemed clear that Ms Balan was exploring her options for not immediately returning to the workplace at this point, when she still had six or seven weeks of maternity leave to go.
The former worker told the WRC that she was shocked, and emailed her previous manager confirming that she had been unsure about her exact return date, but had never said she would quit. However, she did not believe any blame lay with the complainant. Her manager had decided to terminate her employment of his own volition during a period of recognised protected leave.
Why are awards so low? It's not a deterrent or suitable compensation!
20k minimum she should have got more than that.