A salesman who said an industry “rumour mill” made him “damaged goods” after he was unfairly dismissed by an international medical devices firm has been awarded nearly €40,000.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) directed Ambu Ltd to pay redress to Kevin Joyce after it admitted his dismissal last July was unfair.
Joyce, who said he was earning more than €160,000 at Ambu, spent more than 10 months out of work after what he called his “unceremonious dismissal” as territory manager for its urology and ear, nose and throat products in Ireland.
He told the WRC in May how his former employer set an industry “rumour mill” turning against him with an email to staff announcing it had decided to “part ways” with him.
Joyce’s lawyers said their client had filed a grievance about a “disparity” in performance-related pay to sales staff, with an €18,000 bonus at issue.
An external investigator concluded the matter “needed addressing”, Joyce said.
He then found himself subject to a “no-fault” dismissal, he said.
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An email to staff announcing his departure read: “Dear all, today we have decided to part ways with Kevin Joyce with immediate effect,” the tribunal heard.
Joyce said: “The medical device industry is a small industry … everyone knows everyone, and word got out very quickly.” There were rumours he had “done something gravely wrong” amounting to “serious misconduct”, he said.
He contrasted the email with one sent referring to one of his former colleagues leaving the country, which highlighted her achievements in the job and wished her well for the future.
Joyce said he had to be “transparent” with one hiring manager when the man asked him: “Why are you leaving Ambu, given your track record and all the awards?”
He said: “I let him know what happened and that I was completely unfairly dismissed through a no-fault termination on 2 July [2025].”
After that, there was a change in tone and his job application went no further.
“I was completely damaged goods and not an attractive employee for anyone to deal with,” he said. “I was doing my own credibility, my own reputation, my own character, damage by putting my CV out there and having these conversations.”
Under cross-examination, Joyce set out how in the 10 months since his dismissal he had documented 63 instances where he had inquired about new work, including 23 formal job applications.
Rosemary Mallon, for the firm, told the hearing: “I confirm, for the avoidance of all doubt, there was no fault on the part of Joyce.”
WRC adjudicator Úna Glazier-Farmer, in a decision published on Wednesday, awarded Joyce €39,858.13 for his losses arising from unfair dismissal.