The Workplace Relations Commission awarded Eamon Murphy €39,750 after finding his employer, Michael Connolly & Sons Limited Supervalu Supermarket, discriminated against him on grounds of disability and failed to provide reasonable accommodation. The decision was dated 13 October 2022.
Murphy, a store manager, was dismissed after an alcohol-related incident at work. He said his alcoholism was the reason for his dismissal and that the employer had not properly considered adjustments that might allow him to continue working. The employer said the incident had broken the trust needed for him to manage the store and made his continued employment untenable.
The WRC accepted alcoholism as a disability and found the employer had not properly considered reasonable accommodation or obtained independent medical or addiction advice about the risk of a recurrence. Reasonable accommodation means practical changes that help a disabled employee do their job. The officer said breach of trust could not serve as an effective defence in this equality discrimination dismissal case and awarded redress under the Employment Equality Act.