The Workplace Relations Commission awarded Christopher McDermott €37,180 after finding his dismissal by NQA North Quay Associates unfair. The decision, dated 17 December 2021, also rejected his complaint of disability discrimination and victimisation.
McDermott had worked as a general operative since 2006. NQA said it dismissed him after attendance and communication problems, including contradictory messages about his Covid status, and that it had repeatedly sought answers. McDermott said he was unwell, had been told to self-isolate and that dyslexia affected his wording; he asked for a phone call to discuss the issues.
The adjudication officer found it unreasonable to dismiss McDermott and said NQA should have made greater efforts to speak with him after he mentioned dyslexia and requested a call. The disciplinary process fell well below expected standards: no hearing took place before dismissal, despite a remote hearing being promised. The officer found McDermott’s job search less diligent than it could have been and awarded compensation equivalent to one year’s salary. His discrimination and victimisation complaint failed because he provided no evidence that he was covered by the disability ground.