Celtic Linen employee’s unfair dismissal complaint fails after transfer refusal

The WRC found William Stokes’s unfair dismissal complaint against Celtic Linen Ltd was not well founded, concluding that his refusal to transfer to a new employer amounted to a resignation. The decision was dated 23 January 2023. Stokes said he was told he could not remain with Celtic Linen and that refusing the transfer would be treated as a resignation. The company said its cleaning department was being outsourced, with employees’ terms and workplace unchanged apart from the employer. The adjudication officer found that Stokes had been told about the transfer and the consequences of refusing it, and had several opportunities to change his mind. The officer concluded that his refusal terminated his employment by resignation.