Summary dismissal: which steps protect your position?
What would you like help with?
A petition to the kantonrechter to annul this dismissal or award fair compensation must be filed within two months after employment ends. Have the exact deadline checked immediately. Objecting to the employer or consulting our chat does not replace a court petition.
Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
Summary dismissal is intended to end employment immediately. The employer saying so does not prove that it is legally valid. Obtain prompt advice on the facts, pay rights and next steps under Dutch law.
General information about Dutch law · Reviewed on · How we work
On this page
Record what was communicated
Record when and how you were dismissed, the precise reason given and who was present. Keep the letter, emails and messages. Request missing written confirmation, but do not delay legal help while waiting. Suspension or a proposed settlement is different from an actual dismissal.
Check the reason and chronology
An urgent reason, dismissal without undue delay and prompt communication of that reason matter. Necessary investigation can take time but must proceed diligently. Compare the incident, when the employer learned of it, the investigation and notification. An accusation alone does not establish validity; circumstances and your response matter.
Phrase your objection and work availability carefully
If you disagree, record your objection in writing without admitting inaccurate facts. Have your pay claim and willingness to work assessed. If ill or unable to perform the work, do not promise unconditional immediate availability. Keep proof of sending. Do not sign a statement or termination agreement without understanding its consequences.
Choose the appropriate court request
You can ask the kantonrechter to annul the dismissal or instead award fair compensation. The choice and accompanying pay or other claims need assessment. A lawyer is not mandatory in this court, but prompt professional help is sensible. Negotiations alone do not protect the deadline: ensure any necessary petition is filed on time.
Assess income separately
Pay can stop immediately following valid dismissal. UWV assesses the effect on unemployment benefit; do not assume benefits are guaranteed. Transition compensation and possible damages require separate assessment. A petition solely for transition compensation has a three-month limit after employment ends; this does not extend the deadline for challenging dismissal.
Prepare focused help
Prepare a short chronology and say whether you seek to keep your job or explore compensation. Take your contract, payslips and evidence to your union, legal expenses insurer or adviser. Our help request route can support a focused enquiry without posting a full private file in chat; it does not submit anything to court.
Your checklist
Prepare your next stepFill in and save · Word
Tick what you have checked or collected. Note what is missing and take your overview to a meeting.
Unless saved in My overview: Your entries stay only on this screen. Download before leaving; closing or reloading clears them. Do not enter identity numbers, passwords or unnecessary personal details.
What do you still need for your next step?
Item 1 / 6 · Where do you stand with this item?
Exact dismissal date and notification
This overview follows your own answers. It does not assess your rights or guarantee that your file is complete.
Your choices stay here. Use the buttons below if you want to save or download.
View all details, notes and timeline
Your timeline and evidence
List events and contacts. Note where you keep the evidence; no upload is needed.
What goes in my timeline?
Record what happened, when, the response and where to find the letter, message or photo. Mark uncertain dates.
Is my evidence sent?
No. You only note where it is kept. No files are uploaded or sent automatically.
How do I save my timeline?
Your entries are not saved automatically. Choose Save and continue later to store this preparation, including your timeline, in My overview. Wait for confirmation and save new changes again. You can also download a Word file without an account.
Up to 20 events. Choose a different position for an event to change the order.
0 / 6 · Checked or collected
For each event, note the date, what happened and where the evidence is kept. Example: 3 October — letter received — correspondence folder.
Describe the solution you would like, such as an explanation of a deduction and repayment of the outstanding amount.
For example: which document is missing, who can provide it and what should I do first?
Record the date and its source. If unknown, note this and check promptly. This tool does not calculate or monitor deadlines.
After your conversation
These are your own notes. Confirm agreements with the other person; these notes do not prove their agreement.
This is your preparation, not a submitted request, objection or legally reviewed document. A tick records only your own progress. Check the procedure and deadline in the original letter.
Save and continue later
Clear entries
Download anything you want to keep first. Clearing cannot be undone.
- Exact dismissal date and notification
- Incident, discovery and investigation separately
- Contract, collective agreement and staff rules
- Payslips and missing payments
- Relevant messages, witnesses and your response
- Your goal and checked court filing deadline
Frequently asked questions
Is an objection email enough?
No. It can record your position, but cannot replace a timely court petition. Have the procedural step and deadline checked immediately.