The Workplace Relations Commission found a disability discrimination complaint against Brandmax Ltd (also T/A Sports Direct) not well founded over its face-mask policy. The decision was dated 30 August 2023.
Veronika Podmanicka said a store manager told her to wear a mask or leave and that staff confronted her in front of other customers and her six-year-old child. The company said it applied the face-covering requirement under the regulations and treated her like other customers.
The WRC adjudication officer found there was not enough evidence to establish a basic case of discrimination. The officer noted that Podmanicka had not identified a medical condition at the time or a customer allowed to shop without a mask. The officer also found she was not asked to leave and was not prevented from using the store’s goods or services. Under the law, a complainant must first establish facts that could support an inference of discrimination before the employer must respond to it.