The Labour Court overturned a €30,000 age discrimination award to Joseph Woods after allowing St Luke’s Hospital’s appeal. The determination was signed on 11 March 2013. The Equality Tribunal had found for Woods and awarded him compensation.
Woods, a medical scientist, said the hospital ended his employment because of his age. St Luke’s Hospital argued that he had agreed to retire at 67 and that his employment was extended to cover a colleague’s maternity leave. Woods said he had agreed to retire under pressure.
The Court found that Woods had agreed to retire at 67 and that his employment continued by agreement beyond that point. It concluded that his employment ended by agreement rather than dismissal, found that the hospital had not discriminated against him on the age ground, and set aside the Equality Tribunal’s decision and €30,000 award.