Woman treated 'exceptionally shabbily' and forced out of her job by Cork firm awarded €75,000

Woman worked for company for 17 years had her hours cut, and was banned from taking work home by her employer, who falsely claimed she had reached a mandatory retirement age

Complainant was informed while on holiday that her working week was being cut from four days to three. She was subsequently banned from bringing garments home to work on, which further reduced her earning capacity, WRC heard. Picture: Colin Keegan/ Collins

A veteran seamstress has been awarded more than €75,000 after she was forced out of her job by her Cork employer who unilaterally cut her hours, banned her from taking work home, and falsely claimed she had reached a mandatory retirement age.

Mary Kenneally was treated “exceptionally shabbily” in an orchestrated attempt to wind down her employment by Cork-based Carr Sewing Machines Limited, according to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).