The WRC found that a manufacturer discriminated against a general operative because of his sexual orientation when it dismissed him, and ordered €7,000 compensation. The decision was dated 7 June 2016.
The employee said he was dismissed shortly after his sexual orientation became known at work. The manufacturer said it dismissed him for repeated breaches of food hygiene and safety requirements, including leaving equipment on the floor and chewing gum in the production area.
The WRC found the manufacturer had tolerated similar conduct before, then decided to dismiss him within two days and before completing the disciplinary hearing. It concluded that the employer had not rebutted the inference of discrimination. The employee suffered humiliation but found other work without much financial loss; the award reflected the seriousness of the discrimination and was approximately four months’ basic pay.