Courts / Clare / Report

Legal first as Eir ordered to reinstate worker (65) over age discrimination

Summary

Eir has been ordered by the Workplace Relations Commission to reinstate 65‑year‑old Thomas Doolin to his former role as a desktop support agent and to pay him for the period he was out of work from 1 July to 30 November. Doolin, who represented himself, claimed he was forced into retirement when he reached the company's mandatory retirement age of 65, a policy the company said was implemented in April 2020 to maintain an age balance and manage succession planning. The adjudicator, Breiffni O'Neill, found that Doolin's job was office‑based, that he had a strong relationship with the company, and that the retirement order was unfair. No compensation was awarded, but the reinstatement order entitles Doolin to his salary for the period he was unemployed. Eir has appealed the ruling to the Labour Court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Legal first as Eir ordered to reinstate worker (65) over age discrimination. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 1 July Other
• April 2020 Other
• 1 July 2023 Other
• 30 November Other
• 2023-12-14 Publication

Why: However, adjudicator Breiffni O'Neill said the health and safety concerns did not apply to Mr Doolin because he was "exclusively office and desk-based". CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report