WRC rejects Duffy Coachbodies Dundalk promotion and disability complaints

The Workplace Relations Commission found that Duffy Coachbodies Dundalk Ltd did not discriminate against Michael Neary on grounds of disability. It also found it had no jurisdiction to hear his complaint about a 2019 promotion because it was brought outside the time limit; the merits of that aspect were not decided. Neary, a painter, said the company did not return him to work promptly after he said he was fit to work with alternative duties in June 2022. The company said his medical certificate did not clarify his restrictions or what tasks he could do, so it sought medical advice. The WRC accepted that approach as reasonable and found delays in arranging appointments were outside the company’s control. The WRC found Neary had not established initial evidence of disability discrimination and dismissed that aspect of the complaint. The decision was dated 16 June 2023.