WRC rejects security guard’s gender discrimination complaint

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found a gender discrimination complaint by security guard Mary Ann Bell not well founded after her employer moved her to another client site. In a decision dated 11 June 2024, Bell said she was told the former site wanted a male officer who would be more aggressive. Her partner gave evidence that he heard the call. Manguard Plus denied gender was a factor, saying the client wanted a stronger, more proactive officer because of concerns about her performance. The adjudicator preferred the evidence of manager Colm Hanlon over Bell’s and her partner’s, and found the redeployment was unrelated to gender. The complaint was dismissed on its merits.