The Workplace Relations Commission found Victoria Purtill’s disability discrimination complaint against Aer Lingus Limited was not well founded. The decision was dated 11 July 2023.
Purtill worked as cabin crew at the airline’s Shannon base, which closed in 2021. Aer Lingus offered affected staff redeployment or enhanced severance of €84,315.67 gross, including statutory redundancy and a €5,000 Labour Court recommendation. To receive it, she had to agree to settle all claims, including her pending personal injury proceedings. She declined that condition and received statutory redundancy of €21,737.38.
Purtill argued that the condition disadvantaged her because her disability and continuing injury claim meant she could not accept the required waiver. Aer Lingus said the same full and final settlement condition applied to employees seeking voluntary severance.
The adjudication officer accepted that Purtill had a disability but found the evidence did not establish direct or indirect discrimination. The officer also found Aer Lingus had not failed to provide reasonable accommodation and that there was no evidence the severance condition was imposed in response to a protected act. The complaint, including its victimisation claim, was therefore found not well founded.