The Workplace Relations Commission found that Saint John of God Community Services discriminated against Julie Kelly on grounds of race and gender, and ordered it to pay €44,000. The decision was dated 22 September 2025.
Kelly said the provider failed to recognise her level 8 social science degree and experience for the qualified social care worker pay scale and long service increment. The provider argued her degree did not meet the criteria and that colleagues relied on as comparators had different qualifications or employment terms.
The adjudicator found that Kelly was not told her role was classified as unqualified, while a male colleague was placed on the qualified scale. The decision also found that her degree exceeded the regulator’s minimum qualification and that flexibility applied to colleagues had not been extended to her. The provider was ordered to pay €10,000 for the long service increment due from March 2018 and €34,000 compensation for discrimination.