In a recent case, John O'Brien v PPI Adhesive
Plastics, the WRC ordered a company to pay its former employee
€35,000 for compulsorily retiring him despite his wish to stay
on in his job.
The complainant was retired against his wish, when he turned 66
years of age and had accrued 46 years of service with the company.
The WRC was not satisfied that the company operated a universally
applied compulsory retirement age nor that the alleged policy
satisfied a legitimate aim.
BACKGROUND
In February 2016, the complainant indicated to the company that
he wished to work beyond his 65th birthday, which was approaching.
He put the request to work to his 66th birthday in writing, which
request was accepted. The complainant later told the company that
he would like to remain in work beyond age 66. His application was
rejected so he appealed internally, without success. In the course
of the appeal, the company referred to a "2014 agreement"
on retirement, which the complainant
