Mexico: repeated absences from work for family caregiving duties cannot constitute a legitimate reason for dismissal

A court has ruled that the dismissal of a mother who had to take time off work to accompany her daughter to the hospital was ‘unjustified’ on grounds of gender equality and the best interests of the child. At issue for the judges was the ability to ‘guarantee equality for female employees’ in a ‘situation of disadvantage’ and thus avoid ‘disproportionate and unjustified’ breaches of employment contract. This ruling, which concerns a former public sector employee, now becomes a precedent that can be applied to any Mexican worker, whether in the private or public sector.