WRC Awards €142,984 in Unfair Dismissal Case Following Senior Executive Redundancy
WRC Reference: ADJ-00057077 / 11th March 2026
A recent decision of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has highlighted the importance of fair procedures, genuine consultation, and meaningful engagement in redundancy processes, particularly where senior executives are involved.
Background
The Complainant was employed by the Respondent for over 24 years, beginning in 2000. Over the course of her career, she progressed to the senior role of Managing Director, EMEA GLT, with a base salary of €275,000, alongside bonus and equity participation.
In mid-2024, the Complainant’s role was significantly altered following an internal restructuring. She alleged that this amounted to an effective demotion, with key responsibilities removed without consultation or warning.
Shortly afterwards, the situation escalated. The Complainant was placed on sick leave and raised a formal grievance regarding the changes to her role. That grievance was not upheld, and the appeal outcome confirmed the employer’s position.
In October 2024, the Complainant was informed that her role was at risk of redundancy. A consultation process followed, during which she was placed on garden leave. Despite raising concerns and requesting further clarity around her role and terms, her employment was ultimately terminated by reason of redundancy in November 2024.
The Complainant subsequently brought a claim for unfair dismissal.
WRC Findings
The Respondent conceded at the hearing that the dismissal was unfair.
The Adjudication Officer noted that the Complainant had been employed in a very senior position for over two decades and had progressed through multiple promotions, ultimately holding a Managing Director role.
It was accepted that significant changes had been made to her responsibilities prior to the redundancy process, which formed part of the broader context leading to the breakdown in the employment relationship.
While a redundancy process was carried out, the key issue before the WRC was the fairness of the overall dismissal.
Given the Respondent’s concession, the WRC found that the Complainant had been unfairly dismissed.
Decision
The WRC upheld the complaint of unfair dismissal and awarded the Complainant €142,984 in compensation
A separate complaint relating to notice was rejected on the basis that statutory notice had already been included in the termination payment.
Key Takeaways for Employers
This decision highlights several important points for employers, particularly in the context of senior-level restructurings:
- Role changes must be handled carefully, particularly where they may amount to demotion in practice.
- Consultation must be genuine and meaningful, even at executive level.
- Grievances should be addressed thoroughly and fairly before moving to redundancy.
- Redundancy processes must be clearly separated from performance or role disputes.
- Senior employees are entitled to the same procedural protections as all employees.
Even where restructuring is commercially justified, employers must ensure that process and communication are properly managed to avoid unfair dismissal findings.
Conclusion
This case serves as a reminder that long service and seniority do not reduce the employer’s obligations under employment law. Where role changes, grievances, and redundancy processes overlap, employers must take particular care to ensure fairness at every stage.
Failure to do so can result in significant compensation awards, as demonstrated by the €142,984 award made in this case.
