How do I proceed if my employer terminates me without notice for no reason?
June 9, 2024 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Hans Krüger
Dear lawyer,
I am reaching out to you with the following issue: my employer has terminated my employment without any apparent reason. I am Gerda Ullmann, 35 years old, and have been working as an accountant in a medium-sized company for five years. There have been no incidents or warnings from my side so far, which is why the sudden termination came as a complete surprise to me.
My working relationship has always been characterized by a good rapport, and I have always performed my duties reliably and conscientiously. Therefore, I cannot understand why my employer has suddenly terminated me without notice. This termination has not only put me in a difficult financial situation, but also emotionally impacted me.
I am worried about my professional future and wondering how to proceed now. Are there legal steps I can take against my employer's termination without notice? Am I entitled to severance pay or damages? How can I best defend my rights as an employee in this situation?
I would be very grateful if you could help me with your expertise and experience. I urgently need support and guidance in this difficult situation.
Sincerely,
Gerda Ullmann
What should I do if my employer terminates me without cause?
Dear Mrs. Ullmann,
I understand your concern and your desire for support in this difficult situation. A summary dismissal without apparent reason can indeed be a stressful and inexplicable situation, especially if you have not done anything wrong before. It is therefore important that you know your rights as an employee and know how to best defend yourself in such a case.
First and foremost, it is important to mention that summary dismissal is only justified under certain conditions. Your employer must have a serious reason for the dismissal, such as theft, fraud, gross misconduct, or similar. If you have not committed any such behavior, the dismissal may be unlawful.
In such a case, you should take legal action immediately. I recommend that you first of all contest the summary dismissal in writing. Demand that your employer informs you of the reason for the dismissal and ask for a written explanation. It may also be helpful to consult a lawyer to discuss your rights and options.
If it turns out that the summary dismissal was unjustified, you can file a dismissal protection lawsuit in the labor court. In such a proceeding, you can have the validity of the dismissal judicially reviewed and potentially obtain reinstatement or a severance payment.
In addition, you may also be entitled to compensation if you have suffered financial loss due to the summary dismissal. This could be the case, for example, if you are unable to find a new job or experience a loss of salary due to the dismissal.
It is important that you act quickly in this situation and seek legal assistance to effectively defend your rights. I hope that this information will be helpful to you and wish you success in enforcing your rights.
Best regards,
Hans Krüger
