WRC rejects disability discrimination complaint against Topline Bolands

The Workplace Relations Commission rejected Trevor Forde’s disability discrimination complaint against P. Boland Ltd t/a Topline Bolands, finding that the respondent did not engage in prohibited conduct. The decision was dated 22 November 2022. Forde said he had a disability and was prevented from entering the hardware store and builders merchant without a face covering. The respondent said it offered him options including a visor, personal shopping, phone-and-collect service or shopping after hours. The adjudication officer was not satisfied that Forde had established a disability under the Equal Status Act. The doctor’s letter did not certify a disability, and the counselling psychologist’s note did not do so either. The officer also found Forde had not established facts from which prohibited conduct could be presumed, so the complaint failed.