Sean's Story: Getting His Full Redundancy Pay
Kildare | Underpayment Corrected | Employment Law
Sean had worked in the same logistics company for eleven years. When the company restructured, his role was made redundant. At first, he felt the shock that most people do — but he knew he was entitled to statutory redundancy pay. His employer calculated what they owed him and issued a cheque. Sean accepted it, though something nagged at him. He decided to check the calculation himself.
Working through the numbers, Sean realised the employer had made a significant error. They'd only counted part of his salary when calculating his statutory entitlement, and they'd miscalculated the number of weeks he was entitled to receive. In total, he was owed over €8,000 more than he'd been paid. When he raised this with his employer, they initially dismissed his concerns, but Sean knew the law was on his side and decided to seek proper advice.
With the correct calculation presented to them, his employer acknowledged the mistake and paid the full amount owed. For Sean, it wasn't just about the money — it was about being treated fairly after over a decade of loyal service. Getting the correct statutory entitlement meant he could move forward without that feeling of being short-changed during an already difficult transition.
What the Law Says
When a company makes an employee redundant in Ireland, they must pay statutory redundancy based on length of service and weekly wages. The calculation is: two weeks' pay for each year of service, plus one extra week's pay. Your weekly pay is capped at a statutory maximum, and your employer must calculate this correctly from your actual salary. If they underpay, you have the right to claim the shortfall, and the responsibility is on them to get the sums right.
Important: Time Limits
You have two years from the date of redundancy to make a claim for unpaid statutory redundancy. If you believe you've been underpaid, don't wait — gather your contract and pay records, and seek advice as soon as possible. After two years, your right to claim is lost.