Seamus Gillespie, a veteran employee with over 30 years of service at WD Irwin and Sons Ltd, found himself facing redundancy in 2022. Mr. Gillespie, hailing from Co. Fermanagh, claimed that he was unfairly singled out for redundancy due to the company’s perceived issue with the age profile of its staff. He asserted that WD Irwin and Sons Ltd was actively seeking younger professionals and alleged that he was informed of the company’s preference for recruiting individuals with a blue-chip background.
Supported by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, Mr. Gillespie brought a case against the company, contending that he was notified about potential account losses when a vacant ‘Business Unit Controller’ post was being filled. In September 2022, he was informed that his position was at risk of redundancy, ultimately leading to his dismissal from the company. The case was settled without WD Irwin and Sons Ltd admitting liability.
Expressing his perspective, Mr. Gillespie stated, “I worked for Irwins for over 30 years. I enjoyed my job, I was a dedicated, hardworking and loyal employee, with lots of experience. But it was very clear to me, following discussions with management, that my career with the company was over. I firmly believed the decision to make me redundant was based solely on my age. I had no choice but to challenge how I was treated. I’m glad my case is now settled, although I would rather that none of this had happened in the first place.”
Geraldine McGahey, Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission, emphasized that age discrimination is unlawful in Northern Ireland. She stressed the valuable contributions older workers make to the economy and called for employers to establish robust policies and practices to prevent age discrimination.
WD Irwin and Sons Ltd, while denying liability, affirmed its commitment to equality of opportunity and compliance with equality law. The company agreed to collaborate with the Equality Commission to review and ensure the effectiveness and conformity of its policies, practices, and procedures to legal requirements.
In response, a spokesperson for WD Irwin & Sons highlighted the company’s longstanding commitment to workplace diversity, settling the case without admitting liability. The company also reaffirmed its dedication to equality of opportunity and collaborated with the Commission to ensure ongoing compliance with employment regulations through policies, procedures, practices, and training programs.