Dismissal is one of the most common triggers of employment disputes. An employee who believes a dismissal is unlawful must act quickly — the deadlines are short and preclusive.
Types of dismissal
Croatian employment law distinguishes ordinary dismissal (for business reasons, personal reasons or employee misconduct) and extraordinary dismissal. Each type has its own conditions the employer must prove — from the existence of a justified reason to a properly conducted consultation procedure.
Deadlines you must not miss
A request for protection of rights must be submitted to the employer within 15 days of receiving the dismissal. If the employer does not grant it, a court claim must be filed within a further 15 days. Missing these deadlines generally means losing the right to judicial protection.
Severance pay
An employee dismissed after two years of continuous employment is entitled to severance pay, unless the dismissal is due to the employee’s misconduct. When negotiating higher severance in a mutual termination, attention should be paid to tax treatment and effects on unemployment benefits.
This article is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact us to discuss your specific case.
