A former manager at a sheltered workplace claims she was bullied and undermined in her position by her former employer, St Michael's House, the Employment Appeals Tribunal was told yesterday.
Louise McCormack claimed she was subjected to "escalating bullying" and that her role as manager of Northbrook Industries, Santry, Dublin, was "so undermined that it was entirely reasonable for her to resign".
Ms McCormack, who is being represented by her husband Dr Bob McCormack, worked with the charity for 26 years until her resignation in 2006.
Dr McCormack is former director of research with St Michael's House.
This is the second case of alleged bullying against St Michael's House to come before the tribunal in the past six months.
Dr Mark Harrold, a clinical psychologist whose case was rejected in February, attended yesterday's hearing.
The tribunal was told that when Ms McCormack began to make known her grievances, the costs Dr Harrold had incurred were mentioned to her by senior management at St Michael's.
Ms McCormack had been appointed manager of Northbrook Industries in September 2004.
She outlined an incident in which she said one of her staff was accused, in front of a customer and staff, of lying by one of the marketing managers, Geraldine Barnett.
Ms McCormack said she wrote to Christopher Kramer, Ms Barnett's line manager, asking him to ensure she would not come on to the factory floor again.
When she complained in writing about Ms Barnett's conduct she was advised, "it was a bad idea to put complaints in writing" as Ms Barnett could "sue for defamation" and that St Michael's would not back her up.
The case continues today.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/1c85c391-d9f0-4634-bc3d-1b2d88af90bd.png)