One Year’s Remuneration Awarded to Marketing Manager Demoted Following Her Return to Work From Maternity Leave

In A Marketing Manager v A Drinks Retail Company (ADJ-00051379), the Workplace Relations Commission (“WRC”) found that the Complainant was discriminated against by her employer on the grounds of gender by not being returned to her position following maternity leave, contrary to section 26 of the Maternity Protection Acts (the “Acts”).

Facts: The Complainant worked for the Respondent company from June 2018 and resigned on 15th March 2024. The Complainant was employed as a Premium Spirts Customer Marketing Manager, and her job title was subsequently changed to Premium Spirts Marketing Manager. The Complainant took a period of maternity leave. The Complainant claimed that upon her return to work after approximately one year and 21 days, she was demoted from her Manger role to a Portfolio Department Lead.

The Complainant told the WRC that on Friday, 19th January 2024, she was notified that when she returned to work on Monday, 22nd January, she would be moving to another role and that the employee who was hired to cover her while she was on maternity leave would be staying in the Premium Spirits Marketing Manager role. She was given an overview of the new role, and she informed the Respondent that it sounded like a demotion. The role was subsequently referred to as Portfolio Department Lead.

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