The Workplace Relations Commission awarded Maria Rosita Apaza Machaca €2,000 after finding she was discriminated against when a KFC employee told her to leave its Parnell Street, Dublin restaurant because of her assistance dog. The WRC dated its decision 15 February 2024.
Apaza Machaca said she was treated less favourably because of her disability and assistance dog. Scotco (RoI) Limited, which operates the restaurant, said there had been a misunderstanding, acknowledged the incident should not have happened and apologised.
The adjudicator found the employee’s action reflected a lack of information and training on disability accessibility. She said the company failed to ensure reasonable access to the service, causing distress and humiliation. The €2,000 compensation was for that distress. The company was also directed to submit its draft employee conduct code and proposed discrimination training to a disability rights organisation for review.