The WRC found Patricia Nolan was not discriminated against on grounds of family status in access to employment with Iarnrod Eireann. The decision was dated 26 July 2021.
Nolan said she applied for five externally advertised jobs in 2019 but was denied consideration because she had taken voluntary severance in 2012. Iarnrod Eireann relied on a group policy generally barring the re-engagement of former employees who had left on voluntary severance, subject to exceptional circumstances.
The company said 476 staff had left on voluntary severance since 2012, including 394 men and 82 women, and that three men who sought to return had also been refused consideration. The adjudication officer found Nolan had not established discrimination or shown a connection between her treatment and her family status.