The Workplace Relations Commission recommended that an employer pay a worker €10,000 after finding flaws in a public service recruitment competition and an unacceptable delay in an internal review. The recommendation was dated 7 December 2022.
The worker challenged being rejected for a driving role, saying driving aptitude and fitness were assessed despite not being listed in the advertised competencies. The employer said it applied a consistent process and argued the dispute had wider implications. The adjudication officer found the dispute was an individual matter within the WRC’s jurisdiction.
The officer found that the worker’s driving and fitness scores could not be properly assessed without practical assessments. The shortlisting criteria were not sufficiently related to the job requirements or objective enough for a fair assessment. The officer also found that the internal review took an unacceptable length of time and caused unnecessary stress.
The WRC recommended €5,000 for the shortlisting flaws and €5,000 for the delay, for total recommended compensation of €10,000.