The WRC awarded a teacher €34,060 after finding her dismissal from a school unfair. The decision was dated 11 May 2017. Her complaints for redundancy payment and unpaid wages were withdrawn at the hearing.
The worker had taught French and English as a foreign language and co-ordinated international students. The school said falling enrolment and financial pressure had made her post redundant. She disputed that a genuine redundancy existed and said her dismissal was linked to a grievance and concerns she had raised about student health and safety.
The adjudicator was not convinced that a genuine redundancy situation existed and considered that other matters, including the grievance, appeared to be at play. The school gave no notice or consultation, discussed no alternative roles and provided no appeal process. The WRC found the dismissal unfair and ordered compensation, taking account of the €11,400 redundancy lump sum already paid. It considered reinstatement unsuitable because the relationship had been badly damaged and the school said no suitable position was available.