Former Iceland worker laid off without notice while pregnant awarded €51,000

A former Iceland worker who had her time as a new mother “ruined” after being laid off without notice when seven months pregnant has been awarded €51,000 compensation.

Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) adjudicator Elizabeth Spelman found that Metron Stores Limited, trading as Iceland (in liquidation), discriminated against Rachel Smyth on the grounds of gender.

In her findings, Ms Spelman found that the employer, instead of relocating Ms Smyth to another store as discussed, laid her off without notice while she was seven months’ pregnant in February 2023.

The adjudicator said Ms Smyth was kept completely uninformed as regards her employment situation, despite contacting her employer on numerous occasions.

Ms Spelman said she was making the €51,000 award arising from the extent of the discrimination; the impact that it had on Ms Smyth and the length of time over which the discrimination occurred.

In January 2023, Ms Smyth was promoted to junior buyer from a store support role…