Courts / Ireland / Report

Exec dismissed by video call wins largest award for unfair dismissal this year

Summary

An executive who was dismissed by video call just days before his one-year work anniversary has been awarded €180,000 for unfair dismissal, the largest such award in 2025. David Haran was employed as chief of staff by Hed Unity Limited, earning €160,000 annually, but was informed of his dismissal on 14 April 2022 during a video call with the CEO and a director. He had been promised an €80,000 bonus and other benefits under his contract, which was signed only by him. The tribunal ruled that the dismissal was unfair and unlawful, noting that the company failed to provide evidence justifying the termination. The adjudicator extended the qualifying period for the Unfair Dismissals Act due to the lack of full notice pay, leading to a higher award. Haran was left unemployed for six weeks before finding new work at a lower salary, and the tribunal acknowledged the significant financial loss he incurred.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Exec dismissed by video call wins largest award for unfair dismissal this year. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 19 April Hearing Or Sentence
• 14 April 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• 14 July Hearing Or Sentence
• April 2022 Other
• 14 July 2022 Other
• 13 July 2023 Adjournment
• 2025-12-17 Publication

Why: Because of this failing, the Unfair Dismissals Act required the date of dismissal to be moved back to when Mr Haran's three-month notice would have expired on 14 July 2022, he wrote. CNI source report

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report