Courts / Ireland / Report

Office worker wins €30k more for 'long Covid' discrimination

Summary

Carla Gahan, an office worker at Pobal since 2014, won a second equality claim against her employer for disability discrimination after her bosses ignored medical advice and refused to allow her part‑time return to work following long Covid. The Workplace Relations Commission found that Pobal's occupational health adviser had repeatedly stated Gahan was fit for reduced hours, yet the employer insisted on a full‑time return until July 2023. In 2024, adjudication officer Jim Dolan ruled that Pobal had breached the Employment Equality Act by not accommodating Gahan, awarding her €30,000 in full and final settlement. This added to a prior €10,638.84 compensation, bringing the total awarded to €40,638.84. The case highlights the employer's failure to follow medical recommendations and the tribunal's enforcement of equality protections.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Office worker wins €30k more for 'long Covid' discrimination. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• March 2020 Other
• January 2021 Other
• September 2021 Other
• July 2023 Other
• July 2022 Other
• July 6, 2023 Other
• 2018 and 2019 Other
• 2025-12-03 Publication

Case subjects

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report