Woman was 'sacked by voicemail'

Mrs Giboney was at the hospital when she heard the message

A Northern Ireland woman has won an unfair dismissal case after being sacked by voicemail.

Marilyn Giboney said she found out she had been dismissed after picking up a message on her mobile phone while in hospital.

The charity Victim Support Northern Ireland was ordered to pay the branch manager almost £17,000 after a tribunal ruled her sacking was unfair.

It also had to pay out £16,103 to another branch manager Brenda Faulkner.

She was dismissed after she also allegedly failed to keep an appointment with a charity boss.

When I got home that night I listened to the message again a few times and I still couldn't believe it - then the next morning I got a recorded delivery, sacking me again Marilyn Giboney

Mrs Giboney, who was fired from her job at the company's Omagh branch by voicemail, told the Belfast Telegraph newspaper: "We were committed to providing a service to victims in our areas - and just look what happened to us.

"I spent five years servicing the needs of victims of crime, and then I got a message on my voicemail to say that I was sacked - for attending an appointment with the doctor.

"It's time the public knew what this organisation, which is trying to help victims, is doing to its employees."

The mother-of-three, from Beragh in County Tyrone, said she had informed her boss that she would be unable to attend a scheduled meeting in May 2006.

"I was at the hospital when I heard the message," she said.

"I couldn't believe it. Before the shock set in I laughed. I didn't think a company could do that.

"But then I realised it was real. I went into work and I noticed my colleagues were distressed. The next thing I knew a temporary member of staff came to the door and handed me a letter in front of everyone.

"When I got home that night, I listened to the message again a few times. I still couldn't believe it. Then the next morning I got a recorded delivery, sacking me again."

'Absolutely devastated'

Mrs Faulkner, a former manager at the Lisburn branch in County Antrim, was sacked by Victim Support on the eve of her 50th birthday.

"I had the most miserable 50th birthday I could have had," she told the newspaper.

"I didn't go to the meeting and I was accused of illegal strike action. A letter was sent by courier to my place of work, dismissing me. I was absolutely devastated.

"I didn't think something like that could happen in this day and age. It was so absurd I really thought I would be reinstated within the next few days."

Victim Support said it was " disappointed with the outcome".

"It is always unfortunate when these situations arise," said a spokeswoman.

"Our focus remains upon continuing to improve the service we provide for victims of crime and witnesses."