The Workplace Relations Commission found that Ricoh Ireland Ltd unfairly dismissed Paul Kealy and ordered the company to re-engage him as a business development manager from 1 October 2023. The decision was dated 28 August 2023.
Kealy had worked for Ricoh since 2012 in commercial and industrial print sales. He said his redundancy was unfair and linked to a dispute over commission. Ricoh said the specialist role had become redundant as sales declined and its sales staff were reorganised.
The adjudication officer accepted that a genuine redundancy situation existed, but found Ricoh should have redeployed Kealy to an available business development role on a trial basis before considering dismissal. The officer concluded there were no substantial grounds to justify ending his employment. Although Kealy opted for compensation, the officer ordered re-engagement, noting that Kealy was unemployed and Ricoh had a vacancy.