AN ADMINISTRATIVE manager who texted a message containing the Lord’s Prayer to her senior line manager and some colleagues following a disciplinary “counselling” meeting, has initiated High Court proceedings.
Alicia Long claims she faces a sanction tantamount to dismissal after complaints about the text were made. She secured an interim injunction yesterday restraining an appeal hearing from taking place. The order was granted by Ms Justice Mary Laffoy to Frank Callanan SC, for Ms Long. The case was returned to later this month.
She took maternity leave from her work as administrative manager in Harvey Norman’s store in Naas from September 1st, 2009, to February 10th 2010. On returning, she noticed many changes and her workload had increased considerably, she said. She found her manager’s tone abrasive and excessive demands were made on her.
On January 24th, 2011, she attended a disciplinary counselling meeting and was criticised by her manager for not complying with directions from head office.
When she went home, she was very upset and sent a text message to a number of friends, including her manager, containing the Lord’s Prayer. On January 31st, she was suspended on full pay due to two serious complaints from colleagues regarding the text message.
On February 4th she attended a disciplinary meeting. At a further meeting on February 16th, she was told her conduct amounted to gross misconduct. She was to be removed as administrative manager and relocated in the firm.