The WRC found that Sue Ryder Foundation (Ireland) CLG unfairly dismissed Eileen Walsh by selecting her for redundancy without fairly considering alternatives or using an independent selection process. The decision was dated 18 January 2022, and the WRC awarded Walsh €13,923.58 in compensation.
Walsh said there was no meaningful consultation and that her union membership and shop steward role contributed to her selection. The foundation said the redundancies followed changes in technology, health and safety requirements and its financial position, and denied anti-union bias.
The adjudication officer accepted that genuine redundancies were needed but found the foundation had not properly considered other options, including voluntary redundancies and proposals from the union. The officer found that union membership was a contributory factor, but not the main reason for the dismissal. The award covered 45 weeks’ salary, less the redundancy payment already made.