A dismissal can be unexpected and devastating, especially if you believe it's unfair. Fortunately, as an employee, you're not powerless. In many cases, you can appeal your dismissal and consider legal action to keep your job or receive fair compensation.
But how do you go about it? In this blog post, we explain when you can object to a dismissal and provide a sample letter you can use right away.
When is dismissal invalid?
Your employer may not simply dismiss you. There must be a valid reason for dismissal, such as:
- Dysfunction (provided you have previously been confronted with this and have been given the opportunity to improve your performance).
- Business economic reasons (where your employer must demonstrate that dismissal is unavoidable).
- Disrupted working relationship (but only if redeployment is not possible).
- Urgent reason (such as theft or fraud, which can lead to summary dismissal).
Dismissal is not valid if:
- No file has been built up about your performance.
- You are dismissed without a valid reason during illness (first two years).
- You are pregnant and are therefore being dismissed.
- The dismissal procedure has not been followed correctly.
If you have any doubts about the validity of your dismissal, it is important to object immediately and seek legal advice.
How do you object to your dismissal?
You have two options to object:
-
File an objection with your employer
- You ask your employer to reconsider the dismissal.
-
Initiate proceedings at the UWV or the subdistrict court
- In case of dismissal for economic reasons or long-term illness: lodge an objection via the UWV.
- For other reasons for dismissal: go to the subdistrict court.
Important: You often have only two to six weeks to file an objection. So be quick!
Below you will find a sample letter that you can use.
Sample letter of objection to dismissal
[Uw naam]
[Uw adres]
[Postcode en woonplaats]
[Uw telefoonnummer]
[Uw e-mailadres]
[Naam werkgever]
[Adres werkgever]
[Postcode en plaats werkgever]
[Datum]
Betreft: Bezwaar tegen ontslag
Geachte [naam werkgever],
Op [datum] heb ik van u een ontslagbrief ontvangen waarin u mijn arbeidsovereenkomst per [datum ontslag] wilt beëindigen. Hierbij wil ik formeel bezwaar maken tegen dit ontslag.
Ik ben van mening dat de opgegeven reden voor mijn ontslag onterecht is, omdat [leg hier uw situatie uit, bijvoorbeeld: ik geen kans heb gekregen om mijn functioneren te verbeteren / er geen bedrijfseconomische noodzaak is aangetoond].
Gezien mijn rechten als werknemer en de wettelijke regels rondom ontslag, verzoek ik u dan ook om het ontslag in te trekken. Mocht u dit niet doen, dan behoud ik mij het recht voor om verdere juridische stappen te ondernemen.
Ik ontvang graag binnen [bijvoorbeeld 7 dagen] een schriftelijke reactie op dit bezwaar.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
What if your employer doesn't respond?
If your employer doesn't respond to your objection or goes ahead with the dismissal anyway, you can take further legal action. Depending on your situation, you can:
- Initiate a case with the UWV or the subdistrict court.
- Negotiating a severance payment or transition payment.
- Get free legal advice via Rechtswinkel.nl.
Conclusion
A dismissal isn't always legally valid. Are you unsure whether your dismissal is justified? Don't wait too long and file an objection immediately. Use our sample letter and contact Rechtswinkel.nl for legal advice about your specific situation.
