The Workplace Relations Commission found that St. James’s Hospital did not discriminate against employee Bernadette Kavanagh or fail to provide reasonable accommodation for her disability. The decision, dated 11 December 2023, said the hospital’s occupational health team had thoroughly assessed her and found she could not perform her role or another role, even with light duties.
Kavanagh, who began working at the hospital in 2000, said it had not engaged with her to explore adjustments or assess suitable tasks and assistive technology. The hospital denied the complaint and said occupational health assessments found her unfit for her role and other suggested roles.
The adjudication officer found no prima facie case of disability discrimination or failure to provide reasonable accommodation and ruled the complaint not well founded. In plain terms, the WRC was not satisfied that the hospital had breached its equality duties.