Galway City Council Ordered to Pay €25,000 Following Severe Bullying Case

A recent ruling by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has resulted in Galway City Council being ordered to pay €25,000 to an employee following one of the most severe bullying cases ever seen by the Commission. This ruling underscores the serious consequences of failing to address workplace bullying and disability discrimination in a timely and effective manner.

The Case Overview

Thomas Greaney, a driver for road sweepers employed by Galway City Council since 2019, lodged a bullying grievance after enduring repeated inappropriate behaviour from a supervisor. The supervisor made multiple unfounded complaints against Mr. Greaney and directed him to perform tasks without appropriate authorisation, including the removal of children’s bicycles based on an email that was never produced.

Following the formal complaint, Mr. Greaney requested an independent investigation. However, it took 19 months for the external investigator to give his final report. Over the course of nearly three years, little to no progress was made and the Council failed to provide any interim support or resolution.

WRC Findings

WRC Adjudicator Jim Dolan found that the council’s failure to act constituted a breach of Mr. Greaney’s rights under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. Despite clear evidence of stress-related illness, confirmed by medical professionals, the council did not consider reasonable accommodations, such as reassigning Mr. Greaney to a different crew.

Dolan described the investigation timeline as “far too long” and labelled the entire situation “one of the worst cases of bullying this tribunal has encountered.”

This case serves as a critical reminder for all employers of the importance of:

• Acting quickly and fairly when bullying complaints are raised
• Offering appropriate accommodations for employees suffering from stress or other health conditions
• Separating employees involved in a conflict when necessary to protect wellbeing
• Ensuring that grievance processes are accessible, timely and effective

Ignoring these responsibilities not only damages employee trust but can also lead to serious legal and financial repercussions.

How The HR Company Can Help

With increasing scrutiny from the WRC, it is critical that businesses take a proactive approach to managing workplace culture and conflict. The HR Company is here to support your business and be sure proper procedures are in place.

Now is the time to review your grievance procedures and management training programmes. Don’t wait for a tribunal ruling to prompt change, prevention is always more effective than reaction.

If your business needs guidance in these areas, contact The HR Company to schedule a consultation.