Maria Carmen Poveda Valera v Menclo t/a The Swing Room

 The complainant was a Spanish national employed as a waitress in the respondent’s coffee shop.  The respondent did not respond to the complainant’s submission nor attend the hearing and therefore the Equality Officer had only the complainant’s evidence to consider. 

A number of incidents were detailed by the complainant where she was allegedly singled out for less favourable treatment.  These assertions were supported by two other waitresses, one in a written submission and one who attended the hearing.  The Equality Officer upheld the complaint of less favourable treatment on the race ground.

Ultimately the complainant was dismissed from her employment and when