O’Dowd v Sligo Young Enterprises Limited T/A Sligo Community Training Centre [2013] IRET DEC-E2013-133

The complainant worked as General Manager of Sligo Community Training Centre and, following the birth of her second child, coinciding with the hospitalisation of her first child a number of times, she requested a return to work in the less demanding role of tutor. She was informed that she should resign as General Manager and she would be given a fixed term post as tutor. While working as a tutor the General Manager post was advertised and the male colleague, who had filled the post in an acting-up capacity during her periods of maternity leave, was successful. 

The complainant applied for the role and was asked why she resigned to which she replied describing her child’s health