WRC
Unfair-dismissal complaints to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) rose 43% to 3,270 in 2025, up from 2,285 in 2024.
Specialist employment-law firm Littler has commented that part of this increase in unfair-dismissal complaints stems from employers restructuring their workforces, with the technology sector among those announcing significant redundancies.
Some software companies have been reviewing strategy and payroll costs as they invest further in AI.
Littler Dublin partner Barry Reynolds said: “As businesses restructure, it’s almost inevitable that unfair-dismissal claims will increase.
“At the same time, AI is making it easier for employees to formulate complaints, increasing the risk of disputes."
Barry Reynolds commented: “As businesses reshape their workforces around new technologies, the pressure to reduce or redistribute costs looks set to continue – including, in many cases, reducing headcount or removing employees or structures that are seen as unproductive.”
Scrutiny
Scrutiny of redundancy decisions will hinge on whether dismissals are supported by clear rationale and fair procedures.
“A failure to follow a robust process can turn a necessary business decision into a legal dispute,” Reynolds commented.
Low-cost AI tools now make it easier for employees to obtain guidance on their legal rights, prepare correspondence, and draft complaint forms, he added.
“Employees who may previously have been discouraged from seeking legal advice are now feeling...
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