Pay and Staff Discount at Dunnes Stores

How Pay Works

As a Dunnes Stores employee, you are paid weekly, in arrears (i.e. for the previous week’s work). Your pay includes your basic hourly rate, plus additional premium rates for certain shifts, all of which are outlined in your contract.

Your pay must be clear, correct, and in line with Irish employment law.

Pay Rates and Increments

Dunnes operates a 5-point incremental pay scale, with employees starting on Point 1.

Progression on the scale depends on length of service.

Recent Union Pay Wins:

2024: 5% pay increase for all Dunnes workers
Read more
2023: 8% pay increase and discount limit increased from €1,000 to €1,500
Read more

These improvements were not automatic — they were secured through union organising and member action.

See this year’s Pay & Benefits Claim:
Click here to read the 2025 Claim Letter

Premium Pay Rates

You are entitled to additional pay for specific work periods:

Time Worked	Rate of Pay
Sundays	Time and a half (1.5x)
Midnight to 6:00am (Mon–Sat)	1.25 times hourly rate
Public Holidays (if worked)	Time and a half + paid day
Overtime (over 39 hours per week)	Time and a half (1.5x)

Christmas Bonus

Dunnes workers have a long-established entitlement to a Christmas bonus, won by the Union and its members.

All staff: 1.5 weeks’ pay as a Christmas bonus
Seasonal staff (hired between September and November): 0.5 weeks’ pay

The bonus is calculated based on your average weekly earnings over the previous 13 weeks.

Employee Discount Scheme

As a Dunnes worker, you are entitled to take part in the Employee Discount Scheme, which provides you and one named family member with a 20% discount on qualifying in-store purchases.

Key points:

Monthly spending limit: €1,500

If you are off work for more than 4 continuous weeks (excluding protected leave, e.g. Maternity leave), you may temporarily lose access to the scheme.

Misuse of the discount card by you or your nominee may result in disciplinary action.

What You Should Watch For

Incorrect premium pay applied
Missing pay for hours worked
Unauthorised or unclear deductions
Delays in receiving sick pay or holiday pay

Always keep a personal record of your hours worked and save your pay slips. If your pay isn’t correct:

Raise the issue with your manager in the first instance.
If not resolved, contact your Shop Steward or local Mandate office.

You have the right to correct pay, clear payslips, and accurate records. Don’t be afraid to speak up.

Mandate is Here to Help

Mandate is committed to ensuring all Dunnes members:

Receive fair, legal, and transparent pay
Understand their rights and entitlements
Are supported in resolving any pay related issues

Need help with your pay or employee discount?

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