Asthmatic garda forced back on beat during pandemic - WRC
A tribunal has ruled that a garda with severe asthma was discriminated against when ordered back to work during a Covid-19 surge, though his claim for compensation was rejected due to procedural delays. The Workplace Relations Commission found the force failed to accommodate his medical needs in a timely manner.
Why it matters
This case highlights the ongoing legal and ethical tensions regarding workplace accommodations for vulnerable employees during public health crises.
A garda with severe asthma, withdrawn from a work-from-home arrangement and ordered back on the beat during a winter Covid-19 surge in 2022, was discriminated against - but it is too late to recover compensation, a tribunal has found.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has dismissed an equality complaint against the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána by Garda Joseph Joyce, a veteran of over two decades' service with the force.
It was because too much time had passed between the withdrawal of the work-from-home arrangement and the move to file an equality complaint at the WRC.
Gda Joyce, who was based at Longford Garda Station when the pandemic reached Ireland, said he suffered from chronic respiratory conditions including severe asthma and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and required the regular use of inhalers.
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