WRC finds SuperValu employee’s mask discrimination complaint not well founded

The Workplace Relations Commission found Saoirse Soden’s employment discrimination complaint against Supervalu Harris' Supervalu not well founded. The decision, dated 6 June 2023, concerned the store’s refusal to let her return to work without a face covering. Soden said anxiety made wearing a face covering difficult and that she provided medical notes, including an exemption letter. The respondent relied on workplace safety considerations during the pandemic. The adjudicator noted that Soden had not named a comparator, meaning a person in a similar situation who was treated differently, and said he could not consider events after she filed her complaint. The adjudicator concluded that allowing Soden to work without a face covering would have been reckless and found the complaint not well founded.