Dunnes must pay €14k to woman dismissed on sick leave

DUNNES Stores has been ordered to pay almost €14,000 compensation to a former sales assistant after the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) ruled the worker had been unfairly dismissed while absent from work due to a long-term illness.

Audrey Joyce of College Park, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, who worked at the supermarket’s branch at the Northside Shopping Centre in Coolock was issued with a P45 in November 2007 by Dunnes Stores at a time when both parties accepted she was out of work due to sickness.

Dunnes Stores stated that two letters it sent to Ms Joyce the previous month, which she claimed not to have received, had pointed out her job was in jeopardy.