The Equality Authority today welcomed the decision issued by the ODEI in the case of Nora Barrett vs Menlo Park Hotel Galway under the Equal Status Act. The ODEI Equality Officer found in favour of Nora Barrett.
“This case is valuable for the steps taken by the Menlo Park Hotel on foot of the incident of discrimination” stated Niall Crowley. The steps described by the Menlo Park Hotel included.
- The Manager obtaining a good understanding of the Equal Status Act
- The production of a policy document and its circulation to all staff.
- Liaison with a Traveller organisation to assist staff in gaining an understanding of Traveller traditions and customs.
“This demonstrates what service providers can do without difficulty to seek to prevent discrimination occurring. It sends a timely and important message across the wider sector of hotels, pubs and restaurants. Simple steps can be taken to reduce the growing equal status caseload in this area” stated Niall Crowley
The ODEI Equality Officer in the judgement also highlighted that had an early acknowledgement of the incident been made a settlement might have been possible without recourse to a hearing. In highlighting this Niall Crowley pointed out “all too often hoteliers and publicans fail to respond to the initial complaint thus removing the possibility for easy and early resolution of incidents”
ENDS