A worker lost three complaints against a local authority over its investigation of a workplace incident, with the WRC finding no discrimination or penalisation. The decision was dated 8 May 2025.
The worker said a colleague deliberately struck him with a council van and that the investigation’s finding of contributory negligence penalised him after he raised workplace concerns. He also alleged discrimination related to race and disability, and said he had been harassed and isolated. The local authority said the incident was investigated, but the allegation of deliberate action was not upheld.
The WRC found no evidence that the investigation’s result was based on race or disability, or that the worker was victimised. His safety complaint failed because he did not establish that he had made a complaint under that Act or that the investigation penalised him for doing so. The protected disclosure complaint also failed: the underlying matter was not a protected disclosure, and the investigation did not amount to penalisation. The family status ground was withdrawn.