WRC rejects Anne-Marie Kenneally’s disability discrimination complaint against Cork County Council

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found that Cork County Council did not discriminate against Anne-Marie Kenneally over reasonable accommodation for her disability. The decision, dated 4 June 2024, concerned Kenneally’s request for shorter on-site attendance in her role managing the Midleton library branch. She said the Council’s blended-working arrangement, which allowed one remote day a month, did not meet her needs. The Council said it adjusted her hours and duties, extended paid sick leave and could not accommodate her requested schedule because of operational requirements. The adjudication officer said Kenneally had not shown how the requested changes related to her disability or that she could perform her role with reduced on-site attendance. The WRC also noted that she could have transferred to library headquarters, where greater flexibility was available. In plain terms, an employer must consider practical changes that help a disabled employee do the job, unless those changes would place a disproportionate burden on it.