The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found that Avoca Handweavers Limited unfairly dismissed Executive Chef Mark Mcgillycuddy and directed the company to pay him €57,166 gross compensation for financial loss. The decision was dated 24 April 2025.
The WRC accepted that the pandemic had harmed the company financially and that restructuring was required. But it found the business transformation and its effect on chef roles had not been adequately explained, and that Avoca had not acted reasonably in consulting Mcgillycuddy about alternative roles. He said he had not received financial information supporting the downturn or meaningful discussion of alternatives; Avoca said it had consulted him and considered redeployment. The WRC directed one total payment of €57,166 across this complaint and the related case against Avoca Handweavers Shops Limited.