Cancer patient who claimed employer no longer wanter her as 'face of business' wins €20k

A woman who worked at a marina in Fahan, County Donegal for over two decades has been awarded €20,000 for disability discrimination by the Workplace Relations Commission. Nancy Doherty, who had been the sole full-time coordinator at Figary Water Sports Development Company Ltd since 2002, underwent cancer treatment including chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. She subsequently experienced facial numbness and occasional speech difficulties as a result of the illness. Following her medical leave, her working hours were reduced without consultation. The tribunal found that her employers no longer wished her to represent the business because of her disabilities. A further reduction to two days weekly occurred in December 2023, which adjudicator Shay Henry determined constituted discrimination under the Employment Equality Act 1998. The company's defence that a replacement worker was not an employee was rejected, with the adjudicator accepting evidence of cash payments.