Courts / Cork / Report
Catering workers awarded compensation over 'lazy' redundancies
Summary
In a 2022 ruling, the Workplace Relations Commission found that Sodexo's redundancy process for two night‑shift workers at a client site in Ovens, Co. Cork was "lazy" and "wholly inadequate." Patricia Fleming, a chef supervisor since 1998, and Kaye McDonnell, a supervisor since 1999, claimed they were deliberately targeted for redundancy because they earned higher rates. They argued that Sodexo's consultation failed to allow counter‑proposals and that the client had shifted to home working due to the pandemic. The Commission noted that Sodexo had paid full wages with government subsidies until September 2020, after which the client intended to continue remote work. Both women were given redundancy notices, a lump‑sum payment capped at a year's salary, and the right to appeal, which they did not exercise. The adjudicating officer ruled the dismissals were unfair, awarding Ms. McDonnell €8,580 and Ms. Fleming €5,305.36, reflecting the difference in weekly pay between their former and new employers.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Catering workers awarded compensation over 'lazy' redundancies. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- October 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 1998 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 1999 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 4 August 2020 Other
- 8 September Other
- 2022-05-13 Publication
Why: Patricia Fleming and Kaye McDonnell both brought claims under the Unfair Dismissals Act against Sodexo claiming they were "deliberately targeted" for redundancy because they were on better rates of pay. CNI source report
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