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Summary dismissal: respond immediately

With summary dismissal, the employer states that your contract ends immediately. There must be a valid urgent reason, communicated immediately. An accusation does not automatically make the dismissal valid.

Duration: 1:50

Final legal and language review remain open. General information does not replace advice on your case.

Full transcript

Summary dismissal: respond immediately. General information.

With summary dismissal, the employer states that your contract ends immediately. There must be a valid urgent reason, communicated immediately. An accusation does not automatically make the dismissal valid.

Keep the dismissal letter and relevant messages. Note when you received the notice and exactly what was said. Record your response and evidence so an adviser can assess the reason and events.

Valid summary dismissal may stop wages immediately. WW unemployment benefit can also be at risk. UWV examines culpable unemployment. Have your immediate income position assessed alongside the dismissal itself.

To challenge dismissal, an application to the subdistrict court may be needed. In principle the deadline is two months after employment ends. Protesting or negotiating alone does not automatically preserve it.

Different applications are possible, such as setting aside dismissal or seeking compensation. The suitable route depends on the facts and your aims. Seek expert help quickly and have a final action date recorded immediately.

Bring your contract, payslips, dismissal notice and timeline. The summary-dismissal guide helps organise your first questions. Do not wait until the final week to seek help.

Read the full explanation and sources on Employment Law in the Netherlands. Have someone assess which rules apply to your situation.

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Official sources

  1. rijksoverheid.nl — https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/themas/werk/werkloos-worden/vraag-en-antwoord/ontslag/wat-is-ontslag-op-staande-voet
  2. rechtspraak.nl — https://www.rechtspraak.nl/onderwerpen/ontslag/verzoekschriftprocedure-werknemer
  3. uwv.nl — https://www.uwv.nl/nl/ww/ww-na-ontslag

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