Annual Leave and Sick Leave at Dunnes Stores

Annual Leave – What You’re Entitled To

As a Dunnes worker, your annual leave entitlements are based on your hours worked and are governed by Irish law under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.

Key Entitlements:

You are entitled to 21 days paid annual leave per year, pro-rata for part-time staff.

This includes your statutory leave plus one day in lieu for Good Friday.

Public holidays are not counted as part of your annual leave.

Leave must be taken within the leave year, unless otherwise agreed.

Your leave pay should be either your normal weekly rate, or your average earnings over the last 13 weeks, if your pay varies.

You should be paid in advance of your leave.

You cannot be paid in lieu of unused leave unless you are leaving the company.

Booking Leave

All leave must be approved in advance by management.
Dunnes may restrict leave during busy trading periods (e.g. Christmas, stocktake).
If your request is unfairly refused or delayed, speak to your Shop Steward or Mandate.

Tip: Always submit leave requests in writing and keep a copy.

Sick Leave – Know Your Rights

Dunnes operates two Sick Pay Schemes depending on your start date. If you become unwell while at work, you must inform your manager before leaving the store.

Pre-2022 Staff – Company Sick Pay Scheme

Available after 2 years’ service

Entitlement: 12 paid sick days per calendar year

Paid at your basic rate of pay for unworked rostered hours, minus any social welfare received

You must contact the store at least one hour before your shift on your first day of absence

A medical cert is usually required after 3 days, but check your store’s policy for exact timescales

Post-2022 Staff – Sick Pay (Statutory + Company Scheme)

Statutory applies after 13 weeks of employment

After 2 years’ service, this increases to 12 days per calendar year

Sick pay is based on 100% of unworked rostered hours, minus any social welfare

Contact your store at least one hour before your shift on Day 1 of absence

A medical certificate is required from Day 1 for new staff and 3 days for staff employed before 2023 — unless otherwise stated in your store’s policy or handbook

While on Sick Leave

You continue to accrue annual leave while out sick.

You are entitled to public holiday pay for the first 26 weeks of certified illness — this is paid once you return to work.

You have up to 15 months from the end of the leave year to take leave you accrued while off sick.

Keep records of all medical certificates submitted.

If you are on long-term sick leave, the company may:

Ask you to attend meetings to discuss your return to work

Refer you to an occupational health assessment

Before attending these meetings, speak to your Shop Steward or Mandate Official for advice and support.

Note: If you are off work for more than 4 continuous weeks (excluding protected leave), you may temporarily lose access to the employee discount scheme.

Common Issues to Watch For

Being denied annual leave without fair reason
Delays or underpayment of sick or holiday pay
Losing accrued leave or public holiday pay while on sick leave
Sick pay scheme being applied incorrectly
Pressure to return to work while still unwell

Mandate is Here to Help

Mandate is committed to ensuring all Dunnes members:

Receive their full legal and contractual entitlements to annual leave and sick pay
Are protected from unfair treatment when unwell
Are supported in challenging leave refusals or sick pay issues

Need help with your leave or sick pay?

Talk to your Shop Steward, contact your local Mandate office, or visit our Contact Page.