This is a lengthy decision that has to be read to be believed. It involved blatant discrimination against a pregnant employee and a Director who, the Equality Officer believed, told the respondent's employees that their holiday bonus was being withdrawn because someone had made a complaint to the Equality Authority.

The EO found that an employee did raise an objection to the complainant taking sick leave due to morning sickness; the complainant was, perhaps deliberately, left to do the work of two people; and was denied bonus because she was pregnant. She was awarded €40k for discrimination and a further €10k for victimisation. In addition, the Equality Officer ordered this stinging demand:

" Finally, in accordance with s.82(1)(e) of the Acts I also make the following order: that the respondent engage an appropriate person or organisation expert in the area of Employment Equality law to carry out a programme of training with respect to the Employment Equality Acts. Every person employed by the respondent whose work includes a management and/or supervisory role, and including the Manager and the Director, must have completed this training programme within twelve months of the date of this decision."

http://bit.ly/qlQnCa