Redundancy and Severance: Everything you need to know
Redundancy is the term for when you lose your job because your employer is closing the business or reducing the number of staff.
Unfair Dismissal:
Your employer must be fair and objective when it comes to selecting who will be made redundant. You could be able to claim Unfair Dismissal if you believe you were selected unfairly. Reasons that are considered unfair to select someone for redundancy include: Religion, pregnancy, political opinions and trade union activity, and/or the 9 grounds of discrimination.
If you believe you have been dismissed from your job unfairly, you should contact a lawyer immediately.
Alternative Work:
Alternative work is when your employer offers you another job in the business before making you redundant.
Notice Periods:
If being made redundant, your job won’t end straight away. By law, you are entitled to a minimum paid notice period. This will depend on how long you worked for your employer. For example, if you were there between 5-10 years, the minimum notice is 4 weeks.
Your notice period starts from the date when your employer gives you notice of redundancy in writing.
Your employer may also say that you do not have to work your notice period. This means you are paid as usual but do not have to work, or you get all your notice pay at once and your employment ends straight away.
If you want to leave before the notice period ends, you will have to complete a form (RP6) and give it to your employer, who will then decide if they will allow you to leave.
If you have a complaint about the notice or pay and cannot reach an agreement with your employer, you can make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission.
Redundancy Pay:
You are also entitled to statutory redundancy pay, i.e. a lump sum based on your pay and length of service. You can use the redundancy calculator on gov.ie to estimate how much you might be entitled to. This payment is tax-free.
Conclusion:
If you feel you’re not being treated fairly during redundancy, don’t hesitate to take action. Your rights matter. Reach out to us for expert guidance or make a complaint through the workplace commission. Remember, you have the right to be treated fairly, and seeking assistance ensures that your voice is heard. Empower yourself, advocate for your rights, and safeguard your professional journey. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
