Beshoffs worker alleges pay and leave bias against non-EU staff

Zerha Fidan, a Turkish national and counter assistant at Beshoffs, has filed a formal complaint with the Workplace Relations Commission regarding alleged discrimination by Glendalon Ltd, the operating company of the fish-and-chips chain.

Fidan claims that EU nationals at the Clontarf, Dublin 3, location received better pay, preferential shift allocations, and priority for annual leave in violation of the Employment Equality Act 1998. She stated that her residency status in Ireland was tied to her employment, which prevented her from resigning despite the alleged unfair treatment.

The wage discrepancy began at the start of 2024, when the national minimum wage rose to 12.70 euros. Fidan testified that she remained on that base rate until August 2024, while two female colleagues with EU citizenship received higher hourly wages. She described the higher pay as hidden from her and only revealed accidentally by one of the women. The business argued that one colleague held a supervisor role and the other performed supervisor duties, but Fidan maintained that all three performed identical tasks.

The conflict intensified in November 2024 when Fidan became engaged and requested time off for her wedding in September 2025. Her manager responded to the initial request with the remark, "Oh, you didn’t invite me." In February 2025, she formally wrote to her manager seeking four weeks off in September, split between annual and unpaid leave. After receiving no response, she wrote to the business general manager, Bridget Starbuck, who also did not reply.

Fidan told the commission that the silence from management made her feel like "rubbish" and raised the question, "Who am I, of course?" Following a request for a single day off in March 2025 to mark the sixth anniversary of her father’s death, the company scheduled her to work 10 consecutive days. She described this roster as a punishment for raising issues regarding her salary, wedding, and leave requests.

After the 10-day shift run, Fidan suffered a panic attack at work. Her doctor placed her on medical leave and later suggested she could return with reduced hours and a calmer environment. Starbuck replied that the business could not accommodate this return due to the nature of the role. The complaint was filed with the WRC following that correspondence.

The case is currently adjourned, with proceedings not expected to resume before the new year.