The Labour Court upheld the finding that Irish Aviation Authority did not unfairly dismiss air traffic controller Christopher Reddin after a positive alcohol test at work. In a determination dated 14 March 2017, it rejected Reddin’s appeal and upheld the Adjudication Officer’s decision.
Reddin had worked for the Authority since 1992. He was dismissed after a disciplinary hearing following the test on 31 July 2015, when he was suspected of attending work under the influence of alcohol. His internal appeal against dismissal was unsuccessful.
Represented by the Irish Municipal, Public and Civil Trade Union, Reddin argued that dismissal was disproportionate and that the Authority should have considered treatment or another sanction. The Authority said its policy treated attending work under the influence as gross misconduct and that Reddin had opportunities to disclose his alcohol dependency.
The Court said employers should generally give employees with alcohol dependency an opportunity to seek treatment, while each case depends on its circumstances. It considered the safety risks of air traffic control, the Authority’s policy and Reddin’s occupational health assessments, during which he had said the problem was under control. The Court found dismissal reasonable in the circumstances.