WRC rejects age discrimination complaint against St John Ambulance Ireland

The Workplace Relations Commission found John McGrath’s age discrimination complaint against St John Ambulance Ireland was not well founded. The decision was dated 9 January 2024. McGrath said he was told to resign from his volunteer role by 25 June 2022 because he was over 70, and argued the age rule was discriminatory and did not account for his ability to perform the role. The organisation said it introduced a retirement age of 70 after reviewing its structure, volunteer safety and succession planning. The adjudication officer found the Equal Status Act did not cover the alleged denial of training to McGrath as a volunteer rather than as a member of the public. The officer found that St John Ambulance Ireland had not engaged in prohibited conduct.