A former senior manager with Microsoft Ireland was "never party" to discussions about her request to avail of a redundancy scheme within the company, her lawyer told the High Court yesterday.
Nor was her request for a reduction in force (RIF) package a means of "making a few quid on the way out", Richard Nesbitt SC said.
Mr Nesbitt was making closing submissions for Breda Pickering, of Knockbracken House, Bishops Lane, Kilternan, Dublin 18, in her action claiming constructive dismissal by the company.
Ms Pickering (43) is seeking damages from Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited for alleged negligence, breach of contract and failure to get her redundancy entitlements and stock options.
The defence denies her claims. The court heard that Ms Pickering spent 13 years with Microsoft and, through the realisation of stock options, amassed in excess of €13 million in that time.
Yesterday, Mr Nesbitt argued that Ms Pickering's superior manager Soma Somasegar had said to her that, if there were problems with the new changes in the localisation division of Microsoft, they would be resolved. The essence of this was Ms Pickering would be party to that resolution.
However, Ms Pickering was "never party" to the debate about her request to be "riffed" - to avail of an RIF scheme offered within Microsoft.
Ms Pickering claims the RIF scheme traditionally also allowed employees to relocate in the company.
Mr Nesbitt said Microsoft management had "never sat down" and attempted to work this matter out with Ms Pickering.
What was "crystal clear" was that, by January 11th, 2001, Ms Pickering had taken the "incredible step" of going to her line manager to say: "My job doesn't exist, RIF me."
To suggest Ms Pickering decided this was a way to to "make a few quid on the way out" was incorrect, counsel argued.
From January 11th, 2001, Ms Pickering "never really got a look in again", he said. She was not party to the decision which resulted in Mr Somasegar telephoning her to say she would not be "riffed". Ms Pickering was "abandoned" by Microsoft.
Paul Sreenan SC, for Microsoft, argued Ms Pickering had failed to identify what Microsoft failed to do or ought to have done.
The case is expected to conclude today before Mr Justice Esmond Smyth.
