The Workplace Relations Commission awarded Patrick Cassidy €40,000 after finding that his employer discriminated against him because of his age when it refused his request to work beyond 65. The decision was dated 18 February 2022.
Cassidy worked as a full-time general operative from 1990 until his compulsory retirement in February 2020. He sought an extension, but Portfolio Concentrate Solutions unlimited maintained a retirement age of 65, citing workforce planning and intergenerational fairness.
The adjudication officer found the company had given a blanket response without individually assessing Cassidy’s role or risks. The WRC said the mandatory retirement age was not objectively justified and ordered €40,000 in compensation for the effects of the discrimination. It also required the company and SIPTU to undertake a collaborative exercise on the Code of Practice on Longer Working within three months.