The Workplace Relations Commission recommended €10,000 compensation for a worker after finding flaws in a public service promotion competition and an excessive delay in an internal review. Adjudication Officer Marie Flynn dated the recommendation 7 December 2022.
The worker applied for a driving role but was not shortlisted for interview. They challenged marks for driving aptitude and fitness, saying those skills could not fairly be assessed on paper without practical tests. The employer said it used the same scoring approach for all applicants and argued the dispute could affect a wider group.
The Commission for Public Service Appointments found the general scoring had been applied fairly, but that assessing driving and fitness on paper was inappropriate. Flynn found the marks for those skills lacked practical assessment. She also found the internal review took too long, causing unnecessary stress for the worker.
The recommendation is €5,000 for flaws in shortlisting and €5,000 for the delay in investigating the review. Five vacancies were advertised; 91 applications were received and 33 candidates were invited to interview.