Courts / Cork / Report

Two interpreters sent to case where everyone spoke English, WRC notes

Summary

In a January 2024 Employment Equality case before the Workplace Relations Commission, the adjudicator, Ms Lefre de Burgh, rejected all claims made by Ms Nicole Reekie against Liani Ltd. Ms Reekie, an Australian national who had worked as a deli assistant at the Cork City convenience store from 15 June 2022 for six weeks, alleged discrimination on civil status grounds, harassment, and a pay claim. She had requested Portuguese and Spanish interpreters, but the adjudicator deemed the request inappropriate because all parties spoke English and cited the cost to public funds. Ms Reekie claimed her civil status was "homeless" and that she was a single, older, foreign woman, but the tribunal found homelessness was not a protected status under the Equality Act. She also alleged racial discrimination because she was Australian, but the adjudicator held that the complaint could not change as the respondent responded.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Two interpreters sent to case where everyone spoke English, WRC notes. Charges or matters: discrimination on civil status grounds; harassment; unfair pay practices. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 15 June Other
• 2024-01-31 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report