WRC rejects age discrimination complaint against Aldi

The Workplace Relations Commission found that Philip Mc Grath had not established a prima facie case of age discrimination after Aldi Stores (Ireland) Limited did not appoint him to a store assistant job. The decision was dated 5 October 2022. Mc Grath said the interviewer asked his age and questioned him about his work history in a way designed to reveal it. Aldi denied discrimination and said it selected candidates with more relevant retail experience, and believed Mc Grath might return to hospitality. The adjudicator found the Area Manager’s denial that he asked Mc Grath’s age more convincing. She also found that the interview questions and the decision not to progress him after the first interview did not establish discrimination. Aldi’s handling of his later complaint was described as shoddy, but it happened after the alleged discrimination and did not support an inference of age discrimination. Mc Grath’s complaint could not succeed.