A security firm has been directed to pay more than €6,300 in compensation to a security guard who was dismissed following multiple incidents, including leaving a fire door open and accidentally locking two visitors inside a museum.
The Workplace Relations Commission determined that CK Executive Services Ireland Limited unfairly dismissed Maria Monzon on procedural grounds, even though the company had substantive reasons for termination, reports Breaking News.
The WRC heard that the Mexican national’s probation as a security officer ended on March 25th 2025 after an incident where she left an electric heater switched on and a fire door open at the museum to which she was assigned.
The complainant had previously received a final written warning for serious negligence following an incident on February 6th 2025, when two members of the public were temporarily locked inside the museum because Ms Monzon failed to verify that the building was empty, reports Breaking News.
Ms Monzon began working as a security guard in January 2024, initially assigned to a financial services company in south Dublin.
The WRC heard that her probation was extended in July 2024 due to her failure to adhere to proper procedures regarding keys, ID badges, contractors on site and other security protocols, reports Breaking News.
Ms Monzon was transferred to a smaller, simpler site in Dublin city centre that includes a museum in September 2024, after leaving a gate open at the financial services company.
She was suspended in February 2025 when CK Executive Services learned she had used the gym at her former workplace after being “swiped” in by her mother, who worked as cleaning staff there, reports Breaking News.
While investigating that matter, the company discovered the additional incidents at the museum.
Ms Monzon’s solicitor, Patrick Jones, said his client did not realise a colleague was not referring to himself when he told her only two people remained in the museum, reports Breaking News.
Mr Jones said she also denied leaving a fire door open or a heater plugged in.
CK Executive Services risk manager, John Clare, testified that Ms Monzon was dismissed for “several protocol failures”, reports Breaking News.
In her ruling, WRC adjudication officer Catherine Byrne said the security company had reasonable grounds to dismiss Ms Monzon and she believed most employers would have done the same in similar circumstances.
“It seems to me that the job of a security officer wasn’t suitable for her and it was inevitable that she was going to be dismissed sooner rather than later,” said Ms Byrne, reports Breaking News.
However, she said the dismissal was unfair on procedural grounds as the complainant had not received written notice of either an investigative or disciplinary meeting.
Ms Byrne said it was also imperative that she should have been represented to be able to mount a defence given that English is not her first language, reports Breaking News.
The WRC official noted that Ms Monzon had replied “yes” or “no” to most questions at an investigative meeting and there was no evidence that she was aware she was being called to a disciplinary meeting at which her dismissal was being contemplated or told she had a right to appeal
The WRC heard Ms Monzon has subsequently decided to retrain as a personal trainer, reports Breaking News.
Ms Byrne ordered CK Executive Services Ireland to pay the complainant €4,000 in compensation for the unfair dismissal – equivalent to just over six weeks’ gross pay.
She also ordered the company to pay Ms Monzon an additional €2,327 for unpaid wages, reports Breaking News.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
