QUINNSWORTH, the second-largest supermarket chain in Ireland, claimed recently that they did not show any anti-gay prejudice in the dismissal of a former gay employee. On the contrary, a representative of Quinnsworth said the dismissal had absolutely nothing to do with the employee’s gayness . . . furthermore the company employs many openly gay people".

The claim came after a young man in his 20's, who does not wish to be named as his case is being investigated by the Employment Equality Agency (E.E.A.), alleged he was dismissed from his job because of his homosexuality. The individual was taken on at the large Merrion Centre (south Dublin city) branch of Quinnsworth last May. He was employed as a pro-rata clerk (i.e. checkout), having been told there would be "no problem with [his] experience getting a fulltime job by the end of September". 

However, shortly after acknowledging his gayness to colleagues the employee was let go.The excuse given for dismissal was put down to financial considerations.

The young man subsequently tried to contact the Dun Laoghaire Head quarters of Quinnsworth but found nothing forthcoming.

Because the employee only worked five weeks he has no redress in any case he might consider taking against Quinnsworth.This would hold for an employee regardless of that person's sexual orientation.

When contacted by GCN, Kevin Foley, the Information Officer of the Employment Equality Agency (E.E.A.) confirmed this indicating that an individual was required to work a "qualifying period" of 12 months before she/he could benefit from various protective legislation. Mr.Foley couldn't confirm or deny any knowledge of the Quinnsworth case as he stressed the confidential nature of cases sent to his office.He did however say that a number of complaints had been received in the past from gay workers claiming anti-gay harassment or dismissal. "A few complaints have been received by us", Mr.Foley said, "but it's unlikely that gay people will complain in the first place because there's no level of redress. Although we investigate every case before us, the existing legislation leaves us unable to offer consistent support and advice."

On a more positive note, the E.E.A. representative was able to tell GCN that the E.E.A. had contacted the Minister for Labour as far back as 1986 requesting an amendment outlawing anti-gay discrimination to various items of labour legislation.

Unlike many of our neighbours in Europe, Ireland's labour laws do not include sexual orientation as unreasonable grounds for dismissal, etc.

There are two groups in Ireland which handle gases of anti-gay discrimination at work; The Lesbian and Gay rights at Work Group,PO. Box 1890, Sheriff Street, Dublin 1; and the National Gay Federation, PO. Box 931, Dublin 4. Individuals who encounter problems at work which could be put down to sexual harassment/discrimination should contact these groups immediately.