A childcare worker was awarded €32,240 after the Workplace Relations Commission found that a childcare provider harassed her on the disability ground. The decision, dated 5 December 2024, also found that the provider did not discriminate against or victimise her.
The complaint concerned invitations to welfare meetings while the worker was on sick leave. The provider said it applied its procedures equally and wanted to support her return to work. The WRC found that the initial application of the procedures was not discriminatory.
After receiving medical information about the worker’s circumstances and her objections, the provider continued inviting her to meetings without a clear purpose or useful prospect. The WRC found the repeated invitations were unwanted conduct that created an intimidating environment and amounted to harassment. It directed the provider to pay €32,240 in compensation for breach of the worker’s statutory rights.