And you took your maternity leave because that’s what you’re entitled to do. But then throughout that maternity leave you were stuck dealing with a whining, crying needy little brat with no respect for your time or space. That’s right… your boss!
We want you to get what you’re owed and your employer to get what they deserve! If you want that as well, call us today at 1890 88 90 90 .
Our State recognises the crucial role played by mothers of newly born children in our society. That’s a fundamental and the most basic tenet of any civilised society and that is why it is reflected in our law. Employment Equality laws bind all employers into providing certain rights and entitlements to expectant mothers and new parents.
This is a wonderful thing. Unless employers decide to ignore the rights afforded to employees when it comes to maternity leave, of course, but that’s where we come in.
When our Client Christine learned she was pregnant, it should have been cause for celebration. Instead, she found herself unemployed. The story goes like this:
In mid-2014, Christine, was working as a care assistant in Waterford with a well-known Irish employment agency.
During her time with the Agency she was always well thought of and extremely busy – Christine could work upwards of 45 hours a week and there was never a shortage of work to go around. Two months later, Christine, discovered the happy news that she was expecting her first she child. Overjoyed with the good news, she told her employer. Then things changed dramatically.
But, her employer didn’t apparently quite see Christine’s good fortune in the same way. Two days after sharing the news, she stopped getting hours at work. Because of her pregnancy she eventually lost her job. All of a sudden, wouldn’t you know it, Christine was surplus to requirements. Her hours were significantly reduced and ended up drying up altogether. Nothing else had changed, her co-workers were still rushed off their feet and staff who had been recruited after her continued to work full-time hours. All that had changed was that Christine was expecting a baby. Christine eventually resigned in frustration and hurt and came to us for help.
What could be more vile and disgusting?
In a job where she had been performing not just well, but in fact great. In which her clients loved her and she always exceeded the expectations of her employer. Suddenly she could do nothing right. They began focusing on every negative little thing, subjecting her to undue and unfair scrutiny and saying things about her work which were downright lies.
We lodged a claim on Christine’s behalf with the Workplace Relations Commission. We drafted written submissions for her and attended her hearing with her in Carlow. There we directly challenged Christine’s employer on her behalf. We put it up to them that what they had done was not just illegal but unfair and revolting. Our detailed written submissions outlined how the manner in which she was treated affected her and what should be done about it.
Her former employer fought their corner. They argued that none of this was because of Christine’s pregnancy and that this was all coincidental. It was all a big mistake! The work according to them had simply dried up! They said that the changes resulted from a realisation internally that Christine was not sufficiently qualified to do certain tasks.
In fact, Christine did have the qualifications she needed, but even if she didn’t, this had never been a concern prior to her pregnancy and didn’t appear to be a problem for her former work colleagues. Maybe Christine had overnight become really bad at her job? We said that this was complete nonsense and the adjudicator agreed with us.
The Adjudicator awarded Christine €17,500.
Money she used to set up a new business and start a new life, vindicated and able to put this whole experience behind her… Every cloud has a silver lining! Christine now runs “Boobalicious” a lingerie and women’s underwear store in Waterford city!
Why let them treat you this way? It is always unacceptable. Not in jest, it’s not banter, it is always insulting and embarrassing.
We can ensure that your rights are protected at this special time in your life, allowing you to focus on your child, your health, and your family and in time, on getting back to work.
Shocking as it may seem in the 21st Century, but there are far too many instances when a new Mum returns to work after having a child only to find her job is no longer available.
It could be the employer expects them to resume working in a different, less favourable role, or it could be the employer has gone so far as to dismiss her outright just simply because her absence was inconvenient (essentially for having a child!).
The words that can be used to describe these two scenarios range from outrageous to audacious to mindboggling, and most certainly include completely unlawful and in breach of your Employment Rights.
We’re here to help.
We are passionate about protecting the rights of new parents.
The State recognises the crucial role played by parents of newly born children in our society. This is reflected in law, which binds all employers into providing certain rights and entitlements to expectant and new parents.
Shockingly, sometimes parents returning to work after having a child will be faced with the unacceptable situation where their job is no longer there for them. Perhaps the employer expects them to resume working in a different and less favourable role. Employers sometimes go so far as to dismiss an employee because of their pregnancy. Such scenarios are unlawful and in breach of your Employment Rights. At Employment Matters we can help!
Mothers who become pregnant enjoy the most extensive rights. They’re supposed to, at least.
When your maternity leave comes to an end, you are entitled to return to work with your employer. You are entitled to the return to the same job as well as benefiting from any improvements to the terms and conditions of that job, such as pay rises, that would have occurred during the period of your maternity leave.
The Employment Equality Act is the Irish law designed to ensure that employees cannot be discriminated against on the grounds of gender. Pregnancy discrimination of the type described above constitutes gender discrimination under that Act and if you have been treated unfairly or less favourably because of your pregnancy you could be entitled to redress under these Acts.
This includes situations where you have been dismissed or overlooked for a promotion due to your pregnancy or where your employer has refused to consider your request for flexible hours and/or a job share arrangement upon returning to work (that might constitute discrimination because of your family status).
This may also include situations where you are refused a contract of employment or a renewal of a fixed term contract of employment due to the pregnancy. The Act also provides protection from discrimination on the grounds of ‘Family Status’ which prevents your employer from discriminating against you by virtue of the fact that you have children.
We can advise you on what steps you should take in order to ensure your rights are protected.
We are Employment Law specialists.
This means that when you come to us, you get advice
from experts in Employment Law, not general practitioners who may not be up to speed
with the complexities of this fast-changing area of law.
We can advise you as to your rights when you are expecting a child and how best to ensure that your employer respects these rights. If you are in the unfortunate position that your employer has treated you unfairly, we act for many clients in the exact same position as you. We will ensure that you get what you deserve
We have proven success negotiating the prompt settlement of claims and we ensure your pay-out meets or exceeds equivalent compensation claims. We provide guidance and support so you understand the claims process, and we act in an open and transparent manner so you keep control of your claim.
We are passionate about protecting the Employment Rights of new parents. Whether you are seeking general advice regarding your Employment Rights when you are expecting a child or if you are concerned that your rights may have been infringed, it is important to take action now.