It is important to be aware of your options and entitlements in a redundancy
situation. This checklist aims to provide a quick guide to the procedures
involved in redundancy and your entitlements.
| Redundancy procedure | Entitlement and points to check |
| Notice of redundancy | At least 2 weeks' notice and Redundancy Notification (Section A of RP50) giving date of termination of employment |
| Qualifying for redundancy | At least 2 years' continuous service with employer, see more about who qualifies for redundancy here |
| Offer of alternative work | It should be a reasonable offer. (Note: if you refuse a reasonable offer you may lose your entitlement to redundancy payment) |
| Lay off or short time | If in a lay-off or short-time situation you may claim redundancy payment on form RP9 (available from Workplace Relations Customer Services). |
| Number of redundancies | Whether all or just some of the employees |
| Selection for redundancy | If you are unfairly selected for redundancy, or if you think that a genuine redundancy does not exist, you may be able to claim unfair dismissal. (However, if your employer decides that your work will be done in a different way and you are not trained or qualified to do the work in that way, this would be a genuine redundancy.) |
| If it is a collective redundancy | Information should be provided by employer at least 30 days before dismissal. |
| Redundancy payment | Just the statutory entitlement or can more be negotiated with employer? |
| Amount of statutory redundancy pay | You can use the worksheet Calculating your redundancy payment here or the online redundancy calculator |
| Time off to look for work | During last 2 weeks before termination of employment |
| Leaving before the termination of employment | Give your employer a completed Form RP6 (available from Workplace Relations Customer Services). |
| Date of termination of employment | Employer gives you a Redundancy Certificate (Section B of form RP50) and your lump-sum redundancy payment. |
| No redundancy payment given | You should apply to your employer for it. If your employer still refuses to pay it, you can apply to the Department of Social Protection for direct payment from the Social Insurance Fund. You apply online using form RP50. |
| Dispute about redundancy | Within 12 months make claim to Employment Appeals Tribunal using new single complaint form. |
More information available |
Read about redundancy procedures here or contact the Workplace Relations Customer Services. |
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.