A general practitioner, Dr Declan Scanlon, may have to pay an approximately €40,000 redundancy package to a receptionist, Margaret Dunne, who worked at his family medical practice in Tullamore, County Offaly, for almost 50 years. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) upheld Ms Dunne’s grievance under the Redundancy Payments Act 1967.
Ms Dunne started her employment at the clinic in March 1973, initially under the management of Dr Scanlon’s late father. When the Covid-19 pandemic struck in early 2020, she followed medical advice and stopped working. Ms Dunne sought to return to work in July 2021 but was unsuccessful, as Dr Scanlon did not cooperate.
She later found out from one of her coworkers that the practice would be shut down in October 2022. However, Dr Scanlon did not personally inform her about any plans for her redundancy, Ms Dunne informed the tribunal.
When the practice shut its doors, she requested redundancy compensation from Dr Scanlon, but her plea fell on deaf ears and no redundancy certificate was granted. Ms Dunne was supported in her case by the South Leinster Citizens’ Information Service at a hearing held in April 2022. Dr Scanlon did not attend, causing the case to proceed in his absence.
According to Marguerite Buckley, the adjudicator, numerous attempts were made to reach out to Dr Scanlon. Ms Buckley noted in her verdict that the practice was closed due to Dr Scanlon’s deteriorating health. She also stated that the practice was no longer operational, based on the undisputed evidence presented to her.
After considering Ms Dunne’s nearly 50 years of service, barring the gap between March 2020 and July 2021, and her weekly earning of €473, Ms Buckley declared that Ms Dunne qualifies for statutory redundancy. This would amount to approximately €40,000 using the statutory calculation. However, the final lump sum amount is subject to the complainant’s PRSI payments and would be determined by the Department of Social Protection.