WRC rejects Poundland worker’s disability discrimination complaint

The Workplace Relations Commission rejected Sharon Byrne’s disability discrimination complaint against her employer, Poundland Limited, in a decision dated 5 February 2026. No award was recorded. Byrne said she was criticised as too slow and assigned work she liked less because of OCD. Poundland denied discrimination and said operational changes were intended to improve efficiency across its stores. Adjudication Officer Penelope McGrath found Byrne had not established a disability for the purposes of the Employment Equality Acts and that efficiency changes applied to all staff. The complaint was not upheld.