WRC dismisses Medical Student’s discrimination complaints on time-limit grounds

The Workplace Relations Commission dismissed an anonymised Medical Student’s complaints against a third-level college because she did not notify it within the required time limits. The decision, dated 9 November 2023, says the complaints were out of time or had not been properly notified under the Equal Status Act. The student alleged race discrimination in academic assessment, as well as physical assault, harassment, victimisation, failure to provide reasonable accommodation and exclusion from clubs and societies. The college argued that the complaints were late and that the required notification form did not include the accommodation or clubs complaints. The adjudication officer found the complaints were separate incidents and that no reasonable cause had been shown to extend the deadlines. The ruling addressed time limits and notification; the discrimination and other allegations were not decided on their merits. Under the Act, complainants must notify a respondent of alleged prohibited conduct within two months, subject to limited extensions.