A member of staff told us that no one expected the announcement
EMPLOYEES at an Irish company have been told 400 jobs there are at risk just before Christmas.

A member of staff at tech firm Covalen blasted the announcement as “cruel timing” – with staff set to learn their fate during the festive period.

The company warned that a consultation period would last only up to 30 days.

This means members of staff could find out they have been sacked just before Christmas or over the Christmas period.

If they have been made redundant, they will lose their jobs on January 16.

The staff at risk are subcontracted to US tech giant Meta and work at their office in Sandyford, Dublin.

An employee whose job is at risk confirmed to The Irish Sun that they were informed 400 jobs could be axed.

They said that the timing of the layoffs by the tech firm was “cruel”.

They said: “It feels awful because I feel like companies always have the chance to wait a little bit. We’re talking about companies that make millions of euros every year.

“I have a little bit of a safety net – but there are other people, with families, with mortgages, with visas.”

They added the announcement came at very short notice.

A Zoom link was sent around inviting all staff to a meeting where the announcement was made.

The employee said that staff “didn’t expect this at all”.

The member of staff added: “It’s just very awful considering how hard the job market is at the moment for everyone in the world – it’s depressing.”

UNION FURIOUS

It is understood employees have until Monday to choose employee representatives in a collective redundancy process.

Ian McArdle, The Communication Worker’s Union Deputy General Secretary, said the move “robbed” staff of their Christmas.

He said: “We are seeking an urgent meeting with the company to discuss how best to minimise potential job losses.”

He added: “We call on management to immediately engage with employee representatives and their union, the CWU, to prioritise options that protect jobs, including redeployment, reassignment, and retraining.

“The CWU stands firmly with the workers of Covalen. We will support every measure necessary to defend their rights and ensure they are treated with dignity at this critically important time of year.”

TECH GIANT

The company, which has its headquarters in Ireland, describes itself as a “dedicated outsourcing partner”.

Covalen provides AI and content moderation services to tech giant Meta.

It employs around 2,500 people in Ireland, and its parent company, CPL, is Ireland’s largest private sector employer, with 14,000 staff across recruitment, healthcare, and digital operations.

A spokesperson for Covalen confirmed that it had started a consultation with some of its staff over potential redundancies.

A statement said: “Covalen can confirm that it has commenced consultation with some of its staff in relation to potential redundancies within its Dublin operations.

“Covalen is engaging with the teams potentially impacted and is providing career planning advice and options for redeployment.

“All employees in scope have the full support of the Covalen’s Employee Assistance Programme.”