The Workplace Relations Commission found that Lifford Credit Union Ltd discriminated against Deborah Toland on the grounds of age and ordered it to pay her €25,000 compensation. The decision was dated 24 January 2024.
Toland worked as a teller and said she was forced to retire at 65 despite asking to continue. The credit union denied discrimination, saying retirement at 65 was a condition of her employment.
The adjudication officer accepted that the contract set a retirement age of 65 but noted it allowed an extension by mutual consent. The credit union cited succession planning, staff structure and adequate staffing. The officer found no compelling explanation of how an extension would undermine succession planning, affect staffing or impede staff progression. Additional staff were recruited the following year, and alternatives such as a fixed-term contract, another role or part-time work had not been considered.