The Workplace Relations Commission has upheld a complaint by Laurence Dunne under the Employment Equality Act.A secondary teacher in his 60s who was asked in a job interview if he had the “energy” for the role at “the stage he had reached in his career” has been awarded more than €3,000 in compensation for age-related discrimination.
The role would have required four hours’ work more a week on top of his existing position as assistant principal at the school and came with an allowance of €3,300, the hearing was told. He argued it was therefore reasonable that the references made to his “energy” at interview, and the related discussion, was a question related to his age.After being told he would not get the post, he appealed through the school’s grievance procedure, he said.
He said he was left with no option except to lodge a formal complaint with the Workplace Relations Commission. Ms West added that the reference to the “stage” of his career “would have been asked of any other member of the senior management team had they applied for the position, regardless of their age”.