The Workplace Relations Commission awarded Barbara Coyle €25,000 after finding that The Blackdog Communications Ltd unfairly dismissed her. The decision was dated 3 January 2023.
Coyle had worked for the telecoms company until May 2020 and had been on lay-off. The company said her role was genuinely redundant because of financial difficulties. Coyle disputed that account and said her role continued to be done.
The adjudicator found the company continued trading and paid its director consultancy fees while Coyle’s work was replaced by his. Serious allegations made against Coyle had not been substantiated by an investigation. The adjudicator concluded the dismissal was personal rather than an impersonal redundancy decision. The WRC ordered €25,000 in just and equitable compensation for actual and prospective loss. Coyle had received her redundancy lump sum, so no additional award was made for loss of that entitlement.