The Labour Court upheld a €1,000 award to Veronica Dowling after finding An Post liable for harassment on the age ground. In a decision dated 25 October 2024, it also upheld the rejection of her disability discrimination complaint.
Dowling appealed the WRC decision concerning complaints against her former employer. She said her supervisor’s comment that a Gilbert O’Sullivan song was “her vintage” made her feel ridiculed and different because of her age. An Post said the remark was light-hearted and off the cuff, and that the supervisor apologised.
The Court found the comment violated Dowling’s dignity at work, whether it was intended as banter or teasing. It found An Post liable for the age-based harassment and ordered the company to pay €1,000 compensation for its effects. The Court also found that Dowling had not established disability discrimination, so that part of her appeal failed. The Adjudication Officer’s decision, including the original age-harassment finding and award, was upheld.