Losing your job is always a difficult moment. But the first days after a dismissal are decisive: they are when your rights are protected. If you work in Portugal, here is what you should do.
1. Ask for everything in writing
Demand a written dismissal notice stating the grounds. Without valid, communicated grounds, a dismissal may be considered unlawful.
2. Check your final accounts
At the end of the contract you are generally entitled to:
- Pay for the days worked;
- Accrued and untaken holidays and the corresponding allowance;
- Pro-rata holidays, holiday allowance, and Christmas allowance for the year of termination;
- Severance, where applicable to the type of dismissal.
3. Watch the deadlines
A judicial challenge to a dismissal is subject to short deadlines. Letting the deadline pass may mean losing your right to react, even if you are in the right.
If you believe the dismissal was unfair, seek legal advice immediately. Here, time works against you.
4. Keep the evidence
Your contract, payslips, messages, and the dismissal letter are essential to assess your case.
How I can help
I assess the lawfulness of the dismissal, calculate the amounts owed, and, where appropriate, challenge the decision before the labour court. Book a consultation, in person or online, to find out what your rights actually are.