WRC dismisses Olumide Smith’s Equal Status complaint against commission

The WRC dismissed Olumide Smith’s Equal Status complaint against the Workplace Relations Commission, finding it had no jurisdiction to hear the case. The decision was dated 2 December 2021. Smith alleged race discrimination and mistreatment during two adjudication hearings, and said the WRC was responsible for the adjudicators’ conduct. The adjudication officer found that adjudication and decision-making were not a service covered by the Equal Status Act, so vicarious liability could not arise against the WRC. The complaint was dismissed as misconceived; the merits were not decided.