A call-centre worker who was sacked after she complained about a faulty radiator has been awarded €5,000 by the Labour Court.
It found that Ms Sharon Rooney was unfairly dismissed by the IOTA call centre in Waterford earlier this year. She was "promptly escorted off the premises", the court said, after she had made complaints about conditions.
The company said Ms Rooney was dismissed because of the quality of her work, and not because she complained.
Ms Rooney worked as a customer services representative at the centre from October 31st last year until February 5th. Her union, Siptu, claimed she was unfairly dismissed because she had made complaints to the company's management about her working environment.
It said she had been denied the right to fair procedures or to representation of her choice, as management informed her that the company did not recognise trade unions. The company told the court that, during the three months of Ms Rooney's employment, her supervisor had received several complaints from customers. She had received further training to help her to complete her tasks correctly, but the quality of her work continued to be unacceptable.
Management had continued to support Ms Rooney and allowed her every opportunity to improve her performance, the company said. When Ms Rooney complained about a faulty radiator, the area was immediately closed off and she was moved to the main area of the centre.
The company also claimed Ms Rooney had said she was not happy in her job, and it had been agreed that she submit her notice and receive a week's pay. However, the court said it believed the termination of Ms Rooney's employment amounted to an unfair dismissal.
A spokesman for the company said it was extremely unhappy about the court's decision and would be challenging it.