Dismissal from work: defending against unlawful termination

Employment law

If your employer has terminated your employment in Cyprus, the Termination of Employment Law protects you against unlawful (unfair) dismissal and, in cases of redundancy, may entitle you to a redundancy payment. An employee dismissed without a lawful reason may claim compensation before the Industrial Disputes Court. Deadlines are short, so act quickly.

✅ What to do

Ask for the reason for dismissal in writing and keep the termination letter.
Check whether you received the notice period the law requires based on your length of continuous service.
Assess whether the dismissal was for a lawful reason (conduct, capability, redundancy, genuine business reasons) or unlawful.
Collect your contract, payslips, warnings and any correspondence about the dismissal.
File a claim with the Industrial Disputes Court within the statutory time limit if you believe the dismissal was unfair.
Consider whether you are instead entitled to a redundancy payment from the Redundancy Fund.

⚠️ What to watch out for

Time limits for filing an unfair dismissal claim are short - late claims are usually rejected.
During an initial qualifying period of employment, protection against unfair dismissal may not yet apply.
Resigning voluntarily can forfeit rights that a dismissed employee would keep.
Accepting a payment described as full and final settlement may waive further claims - read it carefully first.

⚖️ Legal basis

Termination of Employment Law of 1967 (Law 24/1967)

❓ Frequently asked questions

What can I claim if my dismissal was unfair?

The Termination of Employment Law provides for compensation for unlawful dismissal, assessed by the Industrial Disputes Court, taking into account factors such as your pay, age and length of service.

Am I entitled to notice?

Employees with qualifying service are entitled to a minimum period of notice that increases with length of continuous employment, or pay in lieu of that notice.

What is the difference between unfair dismissal and redundancy?

Unfair dismissal is termination without a lawful reason and leads to compensation; redundancy is loss of the job because it ceased to exist and can give a payment from the Redundancy Fund.

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