WRC rejects gender discrimination complaint over teaching job

The Workplace Relations Commission found that a school did not discriminate on gender grounds against a woman who was not shortlisted for a teaching job. The decision was dated 9 August 2024. The complainant said the school gave changing reasons for not interviewing her and later appointed a male teacher. The school said her primary teaching qualification and ability to teach through Irish were relevant. The WRC found that all candidates interviewed in the original competition were female and that offers were made based on interview rankings. After those candidates declined, the competition ended. The school later appointed a male teacher without a new competition, citing his competency and Irish proficiency. The WRC found no link between the complainant’s gender and the treatment, and said she had not established a prima facie case. She withdrew her complaints on civil status, family status and age grounds.