Labour Court upholds Jimmy McCall’s redundancy claim on Summeridge appeal

The Labour Court upheld Jimmy McCall’s redundancy claim on Summeridge Limited’s appeal, finding his refusal of a transfer reasonable because of the longer commute and its effect on his childcare responsibilities. Its determination was dated 7 January 2021. The Elms in Liffey Valley closed temporarily after Summeridge had difficulty securing insurance. The company offered McCall work at the Harbour Master Bar in Dublin 1, 12.6km away, with a €500 payment and a €500 voucher. The Court accepted Summeridge had reasonably believed the closure would not be permanent and had tried to retain him, but found the transfer would impose an unreasonable daily commute and costs. McCall was entitled to statutory redundancy payment based on employment beginning on 3 March 2014, dismissal on 13 March 2019 and gross average weekly pay of €629.