The Workplace Relations Commission found that Iceland Stores Ireland Limited discriminated against Laura Mc Donnell, a Traveller customer, and awarded her €3,000 compensation. The decision was dated 27 September 2022.
Mc Donnell said that on 20 November 2020, a security officer and assistant manager asked her and her group to leave an Iceland shop. She said her accent and appearance identified her as a Traveller and that other young customers were allowed to stay. Iceland denied discrimination, citing the family’s previous visits and its policies and staff training.
The adjudicator found that CCTV showed Mc Donnell’s group being escorted out while other young people in the shop were not. He accepted her evidence that she could be identified as a Traveller and found that she had established an initial case of discrimination. Iceland did not rebut the inference, and the security officer was acting as its agent, making the retailer responsible for the conduct.
The Equal Status Act prohibits less favourable treatment on protected grounds, including membership of the Traveller community. The WRC found prohibited conduct and awarded €3,000 for its effects, taking account of the emotional upset and public embarrassment Mc Donnell experienced.