Siemens ordered to pay €12,000 as compensation for Discriminating against a vision Impaired person

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release

Wednesday September 19, 2007 11:02

by Martin O'Sullivan

martin_osullivan at eircom dot net

353878289243

Siemens were ordered by the Labour Court to pay €12,000, to a Vision impaired person who they discriminated against,
when he sought employment as an IT Support Specialist.

Siemens ordered to pay €12,000 as compensation for Discriminating against a vision Impaired person

Siemens were ordered by the Labour Court to pay €12,000, to a Vision impaired person who they discriminated against,
when he sought employment as an IT Support Specialist.

The court found that Martin O'Sullivan had been discriminated against by "the failure of Siemens to make reasonable
accommodation in the selection process, and the consideration which Siemens gave to his disability in deciding on his application,
constituted a single consolidated act of discrimination. "The court also found "Martin O'Sullivan was denied an opportunity to
undertake an integral and otherwise essential part of the selection process because of his disability. This meant that the whole
selection process was tainted with discrimination"

Martin O'Sullivan said, "I hope that this judgment will highlight the ongoing discrimination faced by people with disabilities, in
their search for employment."

He continued, "In the last few weeks we have seen a situation where people with disabilities have been working in workshops, and
getting less than the minimum wage. It is time for people with disabilities, to be given a fair and level pitch when it comes to
seeking employment..

Hopefully the Judgment of the Labour Court will make employers aware that when a person with a disability seeks employment; the
employer must make reasonable accommodation, to allow the person complete the selection process,"

For Further information or conformation Contact Martin O'Sullivan on
0878289243 or martin_osullivan@eircom.net