In this recent case before the Workplace Relations Commission, the female employee was made redundant when 5 months pregnant. She alleged she was dismissed on the grounds of gender, family status and her maternity leave.
She also argued that she was replaced by a male employee who continued to do her job and hold her job title after she was dismissed.
The Workplace Relations Commission held that the company could not prove her dismissal had nothing to do with her pregnancy.
The employee was awarded 50,000 euro for pregnancy discrimination and 5,000 euro for the distress and upset caused in relation to the difficulties she faced in qualifying for Statutory maternity Leave
A copy of the link to the decision can be found here
The Workplace Relations Commission have some very good guidance on employment law rights and entitlements and the link to the site can be found here
