BOHEMIANS have been ordered to pay the maximum amount of compensation – €26,000 – to former employee Dave Henderson by the Workplace Relations Commission.
The WRC said that Henderson’s dismissal last November “was nothing more than a sham redundancy carried out in a ruthless and dishonest manner.”
Henderson, 65, was employed by Bohemians as head of recruitment while he was also coach of the Women’s Premier Division team, as well has been involved in the academy.
But he was informed on November 30 last year by Director of Football Pat Fenlon that the board had told Fenlon to “get rid of me (Henderson).”
Henderson, who earned €250 per week, informed the WRC that he was told he was being dismissed because of “anonymous verbal complaints” and a “historic letter of complaint”.
The former Bohemians goalkeeper later learned, after contacting the FAI Safeguarding Department asking for an investigation, that no such letter existed.
This followed several attempts by him to see the letter, while he was given no opportunity to respond to the allegations.
Following correspondence with Bohemians, the club then responded to him on December 11, saying that the primary reason for Henderson dismissal was financial.
Henderson also contacted the FAI People and Culture Manager Aoife Rafferty complaining about his treatment by the FAI, citing “emotional stress and reputational damage.”
But he received, “No satisfactory response was received from the FAI, reinforcing my concerns about a lack of transparency and fairness in football governance.”
He then took his case to the WRC as he provided documentary evidence of his case which was heard on Monday morning.
Bohemians were represented by club president Matt Devaney who claimed that the club’s losses in 2023 and 2024 led to cutbacks.
But he confirmed that Henderson was never informed in advance that his job could be under threat because of cutbacks.
The WRC also found that Devaney’s description of Henderson’s role was “recruitment” did not adequately cover the former employees’ bigger role at the club.
In the WRC finding, it was stated: “I find that the Respondent (Bohemians) showed a cavalier disregard for due process and an unmitigated disregard for the law.
“From the evidence adduced at the hearing it was apparent that the Complainant (Henderson) remained involved in football at League of Ireland, college and grassroots level because of his love of the game of football.
“He was was not only an employee of the Respondent but a former player and the treatment he was subjected to by the Respondent was shocking.
“I find that the dismissal of the Complainant was nothing more than a sham redundancy carried out in a ruthless and dishonest manner without a without a single thought for the personal damage the Respondent was inflicting on the Complainant.
“Considering all of the foregoing I award the Complainant compensation of €26,000, which represents the upper limit that I am in a position to award, which I deem to be just and equitable having regard to all the circumstances.”
When contacted, a Bohemian FC spokesperson said: “Bohemian Football Club acknowledges and fully accepts the adjudication of the Workplace Relations Commission.
“The club regrets the hurt caused to Dave Henderson, and acknowledges fully the failings in the club’s procedures as detailed in the WRC ruling.
“Bohemian FC apologises to Dave Henderson unreservedly for these failings, and the board wishes to acknowledge and put on record our thanks for his service and considerable contribution to the club’s successes during his time as a player and as a coach, scout and head of recruitment.”
