Cork hospital ordered to pay €5k for firing medical secretary who failed to disclose medical condition

The WRC heard she had not disclosed that she had been on medical treatment for an abnormal heart rhythm

The Workplace Relations Commission ruled that the South Infirmary – Victoria University Hospital in Cork has unfairly dismissed Helena O’Neill because of the disproportionate nature of the sanction imposed after finding her guilty of gross misconduct. File picture: Dan Linehan

A medical secretary at a Cork hospital who was fired for failing to tell her employer that she had a medical condition which might affect her ability to work has been awarded compensation of over €5,000.

The Workplace Relations Commission ruled that the South Infirmary – Victoria University Hospital in Cork has unfairly dismissed Helena O’Neill because of the disproportionate nature of the sanction imposed after finding her guilty of gross misconduct.