WRC grants Egilja Fersta redundancy lump sum after finding alternative roles unsuitable

The Workplace Relations Commission found Egilja Fersta entitled to a redundancy lump sum after she reasonably refused alternative roles offered by Cosy Tots And Co Ltd Tots & Co. The decision, dated 11 August 2021, sets gross weekly remuneration at €576.92 as the basis for the calculation, subject to her having been in insurable employment. The WRC found that the Montessori teacher role in Barrow Street was a demotion from Fersta’s creche manager position. A manager role at the company’s Beaumont facility was offered verbally, was not set out in writing and was not due to take effect within four weeks of her dismissal. The WRC also found that Beaumont would mean a longer commute, and that refusing the role was reasonable. Fersta said the Barrow Street role would increase travel and childcare costs and make it harder to collect her child. The company argued the roles were suitable, her pay would remain unchanged and it would consider adjustments to her hours.