A former sales manager with one of Northern Ireland's best-known bakeries has settled an age discrimination case against it for £75,000.
Seamus Gillespie, 60, from Co Fermanagh, was put in a "redundancy pool of one" after 30 years with WD Irwin and Sons.
The bakery, based in Portadown, Co Armagh, makes a range of popular bread products.
Mr Gillespie was on the senior management team.
He alleged he was told in early 2021 that Irwins wanted to recruit younger professional people "from a blue-chip background".
The following year he was informed that his post was at risk of redundancy, and he felt his role was being diminished.
In subsequent meetings, he claims comments were made about the age profile of senior management and the need to recruit younger members.
He was eventually made redundant and his appeal was rejected.
"I enjoyed my job, I was a dedicated, hardworking and loyal employee, with lots of experience. But it was very clear to me, following discussions with management, that my career with the company was over. I firmly believed the decision to make me redundant was based solely on my age. I had no choice but to challenge how I was treated," he said.
He added: "I'm glad my case is now settled, although I would rather that none of this had happened in the first place,"
His case was supported by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and was settled without an admission of liability by the company.
In a statement, WD Irwin and Sons said it had always prided itself on diversity in its workforce.
"The company has taken the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to the principle of equality of opportunity and has liaised with the Commission to ensure its policies, procedures, practices, and existing training programmes continue to comply with the latest employment regulations."
Chief Commissioner of Northern Ireland's Equality Commission Geraldine McGahey said it was illegal to discriminate against employees because of their age.
"Older workers have experience, skills and attributes that our economy needs to thrive, they are assets to their employers just like every other employee.
"It is imperative that employers have robust policies and practices in place to prevent any potential instances of age discrimination and that staff are adequately trained to use them."
