An IMPACT member from the mid-west has been awarded €50,000 by the Workplace Relations Commission after it ruled that she was unlawfully dismissed for being pregnant. The union understands that her local authority employer intends to appeal the award, which was made under the employment equality legislation.

The worker was employed as a temporary administrative officer on a five-year fixed-term contract, during which she experienced pregnancy-related illnesses linked to miscarriages. At the end of her contract period, a manager told her she would not be kept on because of economic circumstances, but added that “the fact you are pregnant does not help.” He later ‘clarified’ his remarks.

A male employee who did similar work had his contract renewed.

The equality officer who heard the case said that “the entire period of pregnancy and maternity leave constituted a special, protected period under EU law.”