The Workplace Relations Commission has ordered Dna It Solutions Limited to pay Mark Lawlor €50,000 after finding it discriminated against him by failing to reasonably accommodate his disability. Adjudication officer Maria Kelly’s decision was dated 30 July 2024.
Lawlor, the company’s chief technical officer, said that after sick leave he was kept on reduced hours, lost duties and client-facing work, and was later told his role was no longer available. The company said it arranged reduced hours and a project role to support his health, and that his job remained open if he was fit to return.
Kelly found the company made decisions about Lawlor’s hours, assignments and potential return without adequately assessing his capability or what measures could support his participation at work. Reasonable accommodation means practical steps to enable a person with a disability to take part in their job.
The discriminatory dismissal complaint failed because Lawlor had not established that he was dismissed. Kelly also found he had not established victimisation. His separate Sick Leave Act complaint was withdrawn at the hearing.