Sean Brennan, a senior vice-president of Global Head of Product Quality and Surveillance at Takeda Pharmaceuticals International, is taking legal action against his employer, aiming to prevent a supposedly ‘irredeemably flawed’ disciplinary process concerning allegations against him. Brennan, having been accused of harassing a junior female colleague after the company Christmas party in Dublin last December, vehemently denies all allegations made against him.
Brennan is under investigation for supposed instances of inappropriate conduct, including an alleged undesired sexual approach towards this same colleague. This incident supposedly took place first in a private hotel room and later during an informal gathering after the party’s conclusion.
Brennan fervently disputes the supposedly unfair and illogical conclusions drawn against him by the internal investigation conducted after the alleged incident, including that he had engaged in harassment. He argues that the investigators exceeded their authority with these findings, that his ability to defend himself was impeded, being denied the opportunity to rebut his accuser and others who testified against him.
Brennan also took issue with the verdict reached by investigators that he was engaged in inappropriate conduct, which he argues is synonymous with confirming he had engaged in harassment. He insists that the investigators were not allowed to make judgments against him. Instead, it should be conducted independently, he believes.
Furthermore, Brennan questions the jurisdiction of the investigation, arguing that the events, according to the allegations, happened outside a company financed and organised event.
He is due to appear before a disciplinary panel on Friday, May 3rd, which will decide on any ensuing action if it is resolved that he has violated the company’s code of conduct.
Mr Brennan from Aubrey Manor, Rathcoole, Co Dublin has been given a caution that his job could potentially be terminated. Legal representation has been provided by Ian FitzHarris BL and Mark Harty SC. Mr Brennan maintains that the ongoing investigation into claims made against him breaches basic principles of fairness, constitutional rights, and natural justice. There are concerns that if alleged claims are found to be true, they could tarnish his reputation. Before now, he has not faced any disciplinary action and has been a part of the company since 2010.
In December, Mr Brennan began working remotely following an instruction from his employer. The company, in a series of letters, has refuted claims of any wrongdoing or bias during the investigation process.
During a High Court session on Thursday, a temporary suspension on the ongoing disciplinary process was given to Mr Brennan by Mr Justice Mark Sanfey. Despite the amount of effort evidently put into the process by the defendant, the judge foresees that the employer will vigorously defend the disciplinary process when the matter is brought back to court. However, he agreed that the claim that the process is defective seemed plausible and due to the severe repercussions on Mr Brennan’s job, he was convinced to issue a temporary halt. The case is to be postponed for a week.