The Workplace Relations Commission rejected an age discrimination complaint by process technician Tommy Browne, finding the company’s retirement age of 66 was justified by health and safety concerns. The decision was dated 2 March 2023.
Browne worked for MSR-FSR Managed Engineering Solutions from October 2019 until the end of 2021. He said he wanted to continue working after turning 66 and alleged his contract was not extended because of his age. The company relied on its retirement policy, pointing to technicians’ work with hazardous chemicals and physically demanding tasks.
The adjudicator accepted that the work was safety-critical and that exposure to the chemicals could be dangerous. The decision also criticised management for assuring Browne that his contract would be renewed and telling him to keep the extension secret. However, the WRC concluded that the retirement policy was justified on health and safety grounds and found the complaint not well founded.