The O'Callaghan Hotels group has declined to comment after the Equality Tribunal ordered it to pay €315,000 to a former employee.
The tribunal found that the hotel chain had dismissed its former Director of Sales and Marketing, Julie O'Brien, because she was pregnant.
Ms O'Brien's solicitor said she was heartened by the verdict, which is now under appeal.
The National Women’s Council described the case as shocking, as it showed that women continued to experience direct discrimination.
As Director of Sales and Marketing for the group, Ms O'Brien was paid €126,000 a year plus benefits, including a mobile phone.
The chain paid her full salary during her first two maternity leaves, though she also worked from home during those periods.
However, she told the company she did not want to work during her third maternity leave, as she had had two miscarriages.
The Equality Tribunal heard that from this point, she was pressurised by O'Callaghan Hotels to resign.
Her obstetrician certified her as unfit for work due to work related stress.
At 28 weeks, her daughter was still-born.
By that stage, her mobile phone had been cut off, and she could not access messages of condolence on her daughter's death.
Ms O'Brien did not blame O'Callaghan hotels for her daughter's death, but said the difficulties with her employer had depleted her energy and made it harder to cope with her loss.
O'Callaghan Hotels vigorously contested Ms O'Brien's case, and argued that she had chosen to resign.
However, Equality Officer Orlaith Mannion found for Ms O'Brien.
She described some of the O'Callaghan Hotels evidence as far-fetched, implausible and stretching credibility beyond its limits.
She found that there had been a discriminatory dismissal on grounds of gender and family status. The company had also engaged in grave harassment and victimisation.
She awarded compensation of €315,000, plus interest.
A solicitor for Ms O'Brien said that as the case is under appeal, she could not comment, other than to say she was heartened by the verdict.
O'Callaghan Hotels declined to comment.
