The Workplace Relations Commission has awarded compensation to a SIPTU member employed by Prenco Manufacturing Limited in Skibbereen after he was forced to retire at 65 years of age when he wanted to continue working for another 12 months.
SIPTU says Kevin O'Donovan's case is an important win in the use of equality legislation to protect the rights of all those who may come under pressure to retire from their work before they wish to.
The Union says Kevin requested to remain at work until his 66th birthday when he would become eligible for the state pension, however his employer denied the request and mandatory retired him on his 65th birthday.
SIPTU says the company highlighted Health and Safety legislation and inter-generational fairness, however the WRC found that management did not genuinely consider his request to continue working or the impact that imposing mandatory retirement would have on Kevin and awarded him €16,000 in compensation.
