The Workplace Relations Commission awarded John Geoghegan €67,600 after finding that Freightspeed For Pharmacy Ltd (In Liquidation) discriminated against him on disability grounds and discriminatorily dismissed him. The decision was dated 7 February 2024.
Geoghegan worked as a delivery driver and was dismissed after knee replacement surgery and a long period of certified sick leave. The company did not attend the hearing; its liquidator said there were no funds to defend the case and consent to take part had been refused.
The adjudicator found the company had not adequately assessed Geoghegan’s capacity or discussed practical measures to help him return to work, including his proposal for a staggered return to lighter driving duties. Reasonable accommodation means practical steps that can help a disabled employee do their job, unless those steps would impose a disproportionate burden.
The WRC also ordered €650 for an unpaid week’s wages and €3,770 for untaken annual leave. A separate minimum notice complaint failed: the adjudicator found Geoghegan received the required notice, and his contract did not provide sick pay.