The Workplace Relations Commission has ordered Chadwicks Group to pay Marie O’Reilly €60,000 after finding that it discriminated against her on disability grounds and failed to provide reasonable accommodation before dismissing her. The decision was dated 18 September 2024.
O’Reilly had worked for the company for 37 years. Chadwicks said it dismissed her after a prolonged absence because medical assessments found she could not return to work. The adjudication officer found the company had misinterpreted occupational health reports, which did not say O’Reilly was unfit for sedentary work.
The WRC found that Chadwicks had not properly assessed possible adjustments, including hybrid work or changes to O’Reilly’s role, and had not considered her suitability for receptionist or administration roles. It upheld her disability discrimination complaint, finding a failure to provide reasonable accommodation and discriminatory dismissal. The compensation was for the effects of the discriminatory treatment, and the company was also ordered to review its equality policies and procedures.
O’Reilly’s separate complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act was withdrawn after she confirmed she was pursuing the dismissal complaint under equality legislation.