Niamh Ryan wins statutory redundancy entitlement after WRC rejects Bunratty job as suitable alternative

Niamh Ryan is entitled to statutory redundancy payment after the Workplace Relations Commission found that a proposed move to Bunratty was not a suitable alternative to her job at the Roche site in Clarecastle. The WRC decision was dated 23 June 2022. Ryan had worked mainly at the site for about 18 years as a catering assistant. She said the move would mean longer and more costly travel, possible changes to her shifts and disruption to family life. She did not drive and had usually walked or cycled to work. Her employer, Corporate Catering Services Limited, argued that she had refused two suitable alternative roles and was not entitled to a redundancy payment. The adjudicator found that the Bunratty role would involve significantly more travel time and expense and could disrupt Ryan's established working and family arrangements. The decision concluded that the location did not meet the objective test for suitable alternative employment and that Ryan's refusal was reasonable in her circumstances. The entitlement is based on employment from 15 July 2002 to 27 March 2020 and gross weekly pay of €420.