WRC rejects Hilton Foods worker’s religious discrimination complaint over COVID-19 testing

The Workplace Relations Commission found that Rimantas Fabricijusas was not discriminated against on religious grounds after he refused COVID-19 testing at Hilton Foods Ireland’s Drogheda plant. The decision was dated 11 May 2022. Fabricijusas said he considered testing a personal matter and felt pressured to comply or leave. Hilton Foods said testing was required for all employees as a protective measure and that workers who refused were treated alike. The adjudication officer found that Fabricijusas had not established a prima facie case of discrimination and that employees were treated the same regardless of race or religion.