WRC Adjudicator Emphasises Employer’s Requirement to Explore Alternatives to Redundancy

In the WRC case of Karen Moloney v. T M Blinds Ltd (ADJ-00046400), the Adjudicator emphasised the necessity for employers to be able to prove that it engaged in a thorough exercise to avoid a redundancy. Failure to do so will result in a unfair dismissal decision.

Facts: The Complainant had worked for the Respondent company for 28 years in various different administrative and customer support roles. In the years leading up to her dismissal she had been working in a specific “projects” unit of the business which focused on direct sales to builders contracted to fit out office blocks and other large construction projects.

In July 2022 the Respondent reviewed its business and decided to close the projects unit of the business. The Complainant was notified of this in early November 2022 and after a series of meetings she was made redundant on 24^th November 2022. The Complainant was shocked and upset that the Respondent could not find a place for her in the business after 28 years, particularly with her experience in the various areas.

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