Hi all, looking for some advice on what appears to be a tricky situation with my employer.
I work in a research support role at a large Irish third level institution. I have been continuously employed there since early 2021 with no breaks in service. My original contract was a specific purpose contract tied to a named research project - though the scope of my duties has creeped substantially outside of the original role. Since then I have been moved across multiple funding streams without any new contracts being issued and without any written explanation as to why a Contract of Indefinite Duration has not been offered.
The work I was originally hired to support is still active and expanding - there was a significant output or deliverable released earlier this year linked to continuity, ongoing work continues in the area, a team remains in place supporting it, and additional funding is actively been sought with some interim funding confirmed off the back of an international grant that I contributed to generating.
Here is where it gets complicated. I recently received an unsolicited job offer from an entirely different team within the same institution. I disclosed this to my line manager ahead of reference being sought from them, noting while it was positive news that after the interview and learning more about the role that I wasn’t sure that it was a good fit. I raised the question of my salary citing that I wanted to stay on this team but the offer in question paid more - I have been below the top of my scale after five years so I think this is justified request to consider. Within days of that conversation, my line manager verbally informed me that my role would be ending later this year when a particular grant ends. I had no prior warning of this whatsoever. No written notice has been given.
When I asked how my duties would be covered, I was told my manager would "absorb" them personally, some would go to (unpaid) students, and others to a recently hired colleague. My manager also explicitly described me as the linchpin of the team in the same conversation where they outlined the dissolution of my role. They mentioned that they might also hire for a new role that would take on some of my duties that I would be "welcome to apply for".
Some additional context that I think may be relevant:
I took a period of mental health leave approximately four months ago, formally processed through HR with an occupational health assessment. I returned and performed well — this was explicitly acknowledged by my manager. I can't for sure say that this factored into this rash decision making, but it feels too recent to not have contributed.
The timing of the role ending announcement - coming immediately after I raised my salary and disclosed an offer - feels significant. There was never any indication this was coming - in fact, quite the opposite had been communicated in many conversations about the longevity of my role and general future planning. I am also aware that the grant my manager cited as ending is one I am not currently funded on, and that a separate confirmed international grant directly relevant to my work is currently in the transfer phase.
My questions are:
- Should I be entitled to a Contract of Indefinite Duration (CID) given years in service?
- Does the timing of how this came about (immediately after a salary conversation and disclosure of an external offer) strengthen my position in any way, for example in terms of penalisation?
- Does the mental health leave add an equality or discrimination dimension under the Employment Equality Acts?
- My duties are being redistributed rather than eliminated and the project continues. Does this undermine any genuine redundancy argument?
- What should I be doing right now to protect my position?
I have already contacted the WRC advisory service, they seemed to think I would be entitled to CID and asked me to email over more details. I have also contacted HR directly to query current contract status. Any additional advice greatly appreciated.