A discrimination on grounds of disability decision by the Workplace Relations Commission

(WRC) has been welcomed by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC).

The case concerned a man who successfully challenged his dismissal from employment with Sky Handling Partner Ltd.

Stephen Dunne was dismissed from his work specifically due to his dyspraxia, and the WRC ordered that the business must conduct a review of its procedures in relation to employment policies and practices to ensure compliance with the Employment Equality Acts.

The WRC ordered that Dunne be paid €15,000 in compensation, the equivalent of 18 months’ pay.

Breach

Using its statutory powers, the Commission represented Dunne in bringing his case which challenged what he saw as a breach of the Employment Equality Acts, when he was dismissed without formal explanation a month into his employment as an aircraft service agent in April 2018. 

The decision to dismiss related specifically to the company’s reaction to dyspraxia and was informed by what was described as a “google search” on dyspraxia carried out by a health and safety officer.

Training

The officer believed that the employee would not be able to complete necessary driver training for the role due to his disability.

The hearing was told that Dunne holds a full driver licence and drives all the time without issue.