In order to qualify for a redundancy payment an employee must have worked continuously for an employer for a period of at least two years (104 weeks).

The main points to consider when seeking redundancy payments:

• You must receive a Redundancy Certificate from the company. This must be given to the employee not later than the date on which the dismissal / redundancy takes place.
• There must be legitimate reasons for Redundancy
• You must receive sufficient notice of Redundancy and the reasons why.
• Redundancy must not be based on any of the following grounds:
• Membership/Trade Union Activity
  • Religious/ Politician Opinions
  • Civil proceedings against the employer
  • Race
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Age
  • Membership of the traveling community
  • Pregnancy
  • Gender
  • Family Status
  • Marital Status
• A lump sum redundancy payment is payable to the employee and is calculated as follows:
  (a) Two weeks pay for every year of service subject to a statutory limit of €600
  (b) In addition, the equivalent of one week’s normal pay subject to a statutory limit of €600

This is best illustrated by an example. Jim has been working for 4 and ½ years.

Therefore he is entitled to :

(4 years x 2 Weeks) = 8 Weeks +
(1/2 year x1 Week) = 1 Week +
1 additional week
= 10 Weeks.