The Workplace Relations Commission found that two complaints by Next Retail (Ireland) Ltd store manager Joe McCormick were not well founded. Adjudication officer Gaye Cunningham said in a decision dated 30 May 2024 that the retailer had not penalised him for raising workplace safety concerns or making a protected disclosure.
McCormick said he was intimidated after challenging an audit recommendation about storing tubs and raising concerns about a store lift. He also cited delays approving expenses and being excluded from a delivery workshop. Next denied penalising him, saying it investigated his concerns and that his expenses were paid.
The adjudicator found that McCormick had raised safety complaints with Next and made a protected disclosure to the Health and Safety Authority about the lift and storage tubs. She found no penalisation under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, and no link between his reports and any detriment under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. Giving up his voluntary delivery role caused no detriment.