The Equality Tribunal has published four upheld cases decided in April 2012. The first involves victimisation of a Director of Services in the health sector and an award of €45,000. Only two of a wide range of victimisation complaints were upheld following an original equal pay complaint but the case shows that employers must be able to justify every stage of a review or investigation process, particularly when pre-existing complaints are also at issue.

The second case involves three Polish workers who had race discrimination claims on pay, conditions of employment and dismissal, which were successful in part in the absence of the respondent employer.

The third case is a cautionary tale of dismissal immediately after maternity leave was over