WRC complaint not well founded after Traveller community member missed hearings

The WRC found a worker’s Equal Status complaint against a local authority not well founded after the complainant did not attend three hearings. The decision was dated 10 August 2023; the merits were not decided. The complaint alleged discrimination and harassment relating to the family’s accommodation needs. The local authority argued that the county council was the proper respondent and sought dismissal because the complainant failed to attend without medical certification. The WRC found the county council was the correct respondent, then concluded that the complaint was not well founded after there was no appearance at the hearings.