Courts / Ireland / Report
WRC facing 'mountain' of discrimination claims over wearing of face masks
2022-07-01
Hearing Or Decision
Summary
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is set to decide on a large number of discrimination claims linked to face mask requirements during Covid-19. Its 2021 annual report shows 572 claims under the Equal Status Act, with 362 alleging disability discrimination, a 298% increase from 91 in 2020. The WRC's case load can delay hearings by up to a year. Only one mask‑related case has been decided in favour of a complainant: James Oliver Tattan, who was medically exempt from wearing a mask at the Gresham Hotel on 16 December 2020, was awarded €500 compensation after the hotel failed to produce CCTV footage and the porter refused to see his disability letter. In seven other mask‑related Employment Equality Act complaints decided this year, the WRC ruled against the complainants. Separately, WRC inspectors recovered €964,281 from employers breaching employment law, with the largest sums from wholesale/retail trade, food service, and security sectors.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: WRC facing 'mountain' of discrimination claims over wearing of face masks. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- 16 December 2020 Incident
- 2022-07-01 Publication
Places mentioned
- O'Connell Street
Topics
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