Redundancy

chic chick

A good friend was made redundant last week. Despite the pandemic it was still a shock. They are the only person in the company being made redundant and the managers reason was that they are being paid more than any of the other employees. It did send shock waves through the company

Is this a fair ground for redundancy, I thought maybe they’d be given the option of a pay cut?

Review was late feb and was exemplary so it isn’t in any way performance related. Yet my friend feels they are being pushed out.

Anyone got any thoughts on this as I’m as baffled as they are

blindsider

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/unemployment_and_redundancy/redundancy/redundancy_procedures.html

Have a look at the secion 'Alternative Work'

Were HR involved? (They should have been!)

How big is the company? (Bigger company should = better procedures)

How long has your friend been employed there? (Less than 2 yrs = no rights to redundancy - more yrs = more rights)

This is never completely straightforward, but your friend should be able to gather enough info to make a decision re going to an employment law solicitor.

Stanford

This is not a fair ground for redundancy, it is important to note that in a redundancy situation the job or post is eliminated and not the person, does that post still exist or has it been filled?

chic chick

There over 7 years, small enough company I think 20-30 employees

They were told the position is gone so on that grounds it is fair. Thank you for your replies.

blindsider

chic chick wrote: »

There over 7 years, small enough company I think 20-30 employees

They were told the position is gone so on that grounds it is fair. Thank you for your replies.

I suppose it depends on what that means. They're not allowed to hire someone else on a lower salary next month, and they are supposed to have attempted find an alternative.

If your friend feels aggrieved, they could certainly explore further. I would strongly recommend an Employment Law solicitor i.e. a specialist - not someone who lists it as an option.

chic chick

They were told that as it was a stand alone position no selection criteria was required.

Maybe I’m biased towards my friend but it does seem a little odd or maybe it just is what it is.

blindsider

Let's say your friend Chris was the only Customer Service rep in the company. They could decide to make the position redundant. As Chris is the only CS rep, they have no-one to be compared to.
That's all fine, except.....

They did not seek to e.g. reduce salary, reduce hours or re-deploy Chris to another part of the organisation. They should have at least attempted to do this. Even if they had offered a 20% pay cut and a 3-day week, they would have at least tried.... but they didn't.

Obviously we don't have all the facts and correspondence there, but as per my earlier post your friend should consider consulting an Employment Law solicitor - they should help your friend in deciding on a course of action, legal or otherwise.