A receptionist at a North Clare Hotel who’s working hours diminished after she told her supervisor she was pregnant has been awarded 18 thousand euro by the Equality Tribunal.
It found Lithuanian national Dovile Geidrikaite was discriminated against by the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon on gender grounds.
Dovile Geidrikaite started work at Falls Hotel and Spa in a permanent capacity at hotel receptionist in May 2008- until Sept 2009 when she was transferred to the spa.
The Equality Tribunal was told she repeatedly requested written confirmation of her terms of employment but they were not forthcoming.
Her legal team said that in April 2010 when she notified her supervisor that she was pregnant – she received a call two days later telling her there was no more hours available at the hotel.
Council for the Falls Hotel argued that Ms Geidrikaite had been told in early April that business was quiet, and wasn’t given her P 45 amid hopes that business would pick up.
It added other staff had been made redundant during this time. However this was rejected by the Equality Officer Conor Stokes – who also found there was no attempt to agree a temporary lay off with the former receptionist.
He said the North Clare hotel had effectively dismissed her and this related to the fact she told employers she was pregnant.
