The Complainant, who is a qualified primary school teacher was working as a Project Worker supporting vulnerable students across three different schools.  The Complainant submitted that he was not provided with an induction or training for the role.

The Complainant made several unsuccessful attempts to contact the Chairperson of Committee and Human Resources section in Tipperary Education and Training Board.  The Complainant raised his concerns about the lack of support he was receiving from his line Manager via e-mail.  He was then directed to attend a meeting which was chaired by a school principal. Four allegations were raised against the Worker, without prior notice. Thereafter he was suspended with effect from the 4th of March 2019. On the 26th of March 2019, the Complainant was informed by letter that an investigation into the four allegations raised against him was being outsourced. The Complainant was subsequently dismissed with one week’s notice for failing to “demonstrate [his] skills and ability to perform in [his] role as set out in the programme’s guidelines”.

The Court opined that the Complainant was treated very unfairly. He was penalised for attempting to raise legitimate concerns with his Employer about his working conditions and the lack of support he received from his line manager. Furthermore, the Complainant was inexplicably denied his right to appeal the decision to dismiss him on short notice. Accordingly, the Respondent was ordered to pay compensation amounting to €5,000.00.
https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/cases/2020/january/lcr22175.html