Sport Ireland ordered to rehire sacked finance manager
The State body overseeing the administration of sport in Ireland has been ordered to rehire a sacked finance manager to her former role after the Labour Court ruled she had been unfairly dismissed.
Ireland's Sport Ireland has been ordered by the Labour Court to rehire a sacked finance manager, Joanna Gurtman, after she was unfairly dismissed. Ms Gurtman, who worked for Sport Ireland for nearly six years earning €47,081 annually, was fired following a report by an external investigator. The investigator accused her of using her mental health to manipulate HR staff and displaying characteristics of severe narcissistic disorders.
However, the Labour Court found the dismissal and the investigation process were fundamentally flawed, and ruled in Ms Gurtman's favor. The court criticized the investigation report for including conjecture, prejudgement, prejudicial remarks, and conclusions that the investigator was not qualified to make. Ms Gurtman had not been provided with any evidence used by the investigator.
The Labour Court also noted potential bias due to Sport Ireland's chief executive, Una May, having earlier involvement with the case. The court directed Sport Ireland to re-engage Ms Gurtman within 42 days, considering the period since her dismissal as a period of unpaid suspension.
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