School directed to pay teacher almost €40k compensation

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has found in favour of a teacher who took a case against the principal of Templeogue College, and has directed the Dublin secondary school to pay the teacher almost €40,000 in compensation.

Jennifer Clancy, a former part-time Spanish teacher at Templeogue College, had complained that she was penalised by principal Niamh Quinn after she put her name to a grievance lodged by 11 school staff in the spring of 2022.

The grievance raised concerns about health and safety, the loss of staff facilities and student discipline.

In her case at the WRC, Ms Clancy accused Ms Quinn of targeting her by altering timetables ahead of the new term in September 2022 in order to disadvantage her.

Ms Clancy had left the school as a result of the changes to her timetable, which meant that she could no longer combine working with caring for her small children.

She told the WRC that this had been an arrangement she had agreed with the school and that she had moved to work at the school because they could facilitate her request.

In a ruling delivered today, the WRC found in favour of Ms Clancy and directed a payment of €39,912 to her which is the equivalent of 15 months’ salary.

Adjudicator Breffni O’Neill said this was “just and equitable having regard to all the circumstances of the matter”.

Ms Clancy told RTÉ News that she was “thrilled” at the outcome.

She said: “I feel that after two years that justice has been served.

“I knew all along that I had been penalised and I’m glad this has been borne out by the WRC.

“I spoke up against wrongdoing for my children.

“I had to do it for my children, to show them that when there is wrongdoing that you have to stand up for yourself.”