The WRC has rejected 53 out of 56 complaints by people alleging discrimination for being told to wear a Covid-19 mask
The earliest award for €500 was made against the Gresham Hotel on O’Connell Street in Dublin, which was ordered to pay James Oliver Tattan the sum after he was left upset and embarrassed by the insistence of a porter that he put on a face mask in December 2020.
The tribunal was told there had been a “miscommunication between staff” on the mask policy because of the “enormous pressure” at the time – with the adjudicating officer writing that the clinic had “in effect, admitted its failure to reasonably accommodate the complainant”.One other mask-related claim is understood to have been settled for an undisclosed sum before hearing.
He had told the shop – which denied discrimination – that he was “exempt” from the regulations, claiming he was left “physically impaired” and short of breath following a heart attack in 2015. At many of the hearings, shop and hospitality workers repeatedly expressed fears about the prospect of contracting Covid-19 at work and passing it on to their families.
“That’s why I’ve got this yellow star on, because it’s fascism,” the complainant was heard to say on the recording, which he submitted to the WRC. In another case, the tribunal refused to accept an exemption note produced by a complainant which he said had been signed by Derry GP Dr Anne McCloskey.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
WHO concerned over China Covid cases but country claims no new deathsChina claimed today that no one had died of Covid-19 the previous day, after changing the criteria so that most virus deaths are no longer counted
Read more »
2022 worst year on record for hospital overcrowding as flu and Covid put system under pressureWorst year on record for hospital overcrowding as flu and Covid put system under pressure
Read more »
Wear masks on public transport as ‘act of solidarity’, public urged, as Covid and flu surgeChief Medical Officer says country is facing a ‘respiratory virus storm’ and encourages mask wearing at religious services over Christmas
Read more »
Tenants who owe over €70,000 in rent arrears can spend Christmas in houseTenants blame Covid-19 for not paying €2,500-a-month rent for over three years
Read more »
Local newspaper publisher posts 80% profit growthCompany behind the Limerick Leader and the Leinster Leader availed of Government Covid supports
Read more »
Worst year on record for hospital overcrowding as flu and Covid put system under pressureLatest figures show 118,662 patients have been without a hospital bed so far in 2022
Read more »