A former administrator with the National Parents Council - Post-Primary has told an Employment Appeals Tribunal that the council failed to plead his case adequately when questions arose over the validity of his position on a European parents' organisation.
Mr Sean Grehan, from Arklow, Co Wicklow, is claiming constructive dismissal after voluntarily resigning from his part-time post last February.
He claimed the council deliberately isolated him, making it impossible for him to fulfil his duties which included answering parents' queries during last year's secondary teachers' strike.
Mr Grehan also acted as an unpaid secretary and director of the council which is a limited company, until he was required to step aside in January.
Under new regulations, he was not entitled to hold an executive position because he was no longer the parent of a child attending post-primary school.
At a hearing yesterday, Mr Grehan said he had been "left out of the loop".
He was informed that all outgoing letters were to be vetted by the president, Ms Marie Dunaswamy, or the new company secretary, Ms Barbara Johnston. Mr Grehan said he seemed generally to be ignored.
In early February, Ms Dunaswamy phoned Mr Grehan to tell him that Ms Johnston would be attending in the office. Mr Grehan told Mrs Dunaswamy he had no option but to resign.
He said the council failed to argue properly on his behalf when doubts were expressed last November over the validity of his appointment to the governing body of the European Parents Association.
The council's actions underscored its determination to get rid of him, he told the tribunal.
The European body had informed the council that it was obliged to nominate a replacement for Mr Grehan, who believed he had two years of his term left to run.
Following written clarification, the council held a ballot and appointed a new representative.
Mr Grehan claimed the council should have worked harder to defend his position.
The council insisted the European issue was not relevant to his work as an office administrator.
It was put to Mr Grehan that he resigned because he was unwilling to work with the new company secretary, Ms Johnston.
Mr Grehan said his relationship with Ms Johnston was a factor but there were other more substantial reasons.
Under cross-examination, Ms Johnston said she and Mr Grehan had differed in the past but she had no inkling he would have a problem working with her.
Mr Grehan is seeking compensation as he does not wish to return to work with the council.
The tribunal will convey its ruling later.