How to react in the event of unfair dismissal?
In Belgium,nearly one in five employees believe they have been the victim of unfair dismissalduring his career. Faced with this destabilizing situation, many feel helpless and unaware of the steps to follow to obtain justice. With his 20 years of experience, Maître Innocent Twagiramungu, lawyer in Brussels, at the crossroads of Ixelles and Saint-Gilles, enlightens you on your rights and the actions to take.
Unjustified dismissal, what consequences?
Being fired without good reason is a difficult ordeal to go through. Beyond thesudden loss of job and income, this situation generates a deep feeling of injustice and humiliation. The repercussions can be numerous: depression, loss of self-confidence, financial difficulties, family tensions…
Let’s take the example of Sophie, 42 years old, employed for 8 years in a Brussels SME. Suddenly, she was summoned by her employer who notified her of her dismissal, without a convincing explanation. In shock, Sophie struggles to react and gradually sinks into depression.Without income, she is no longer able to pay her rent and fears losing her housing. His family life also suffers.
Unfair dismissal: the key steps to take action
When faced with unfair dismissal, it is crucial not to remain passive.The first step is to contact an employment lawyer. This professional will analyze your situation and advise you on the actions to take. He may in particular verify compliance with the dismissal procedure and the existence of a valid reason.
If abuse is proven, your lawyer will help you build a solid case for legal action. For this it will be necessarycollect all documents relating to your dismissal: employment contract, discussions with the employer, testimonials from colleagues, etc. Your state of health must also be attested by medical certificates.
Obtain redress in court
Once your file has been compiled, your lawyer will be able tobring an action before the competent labor court. The objective will be to obtain the cancellation of your dismissal and your reinstatement in the company. If this is not possible, you can seek damages for unfair dismissal.
The amount of this compensation will vary depending on your situation: seniority, remuneration, damage suffered, etc. For example, an executive unfairly dismissed after 15 years of service could claimcompensation equivalent to 18 months of salary. Additional damages may possibly be awarded if you have suffered specific harm (depression, loss of housing, etc.).
The expertise of Master Twagiramungu at your side
In these difficult times, it is essential to be able to count on a trusted, attentive and responsive lawyer. Located in Brussels, Maître Twagiramungu’s office makes a point of honorestablish a transparent and personalized relationship with each client. You will benefit from sound advice and tailor-made support, from compiling your file to obtaining fair compensation.
Master Twagiramungu will also give you valuable advice on how to best manage this ordeal:
- take care of your physical and mental health
- organize your job search
- assert your rights with the competent organizations (mutual insurance, Onem, etc.)
So many keys to regaining confidence in yourself and bouncing back after this difficult period.
If you believe that you are the victim of unfair dismissal, do not hesitate to contact the office of Maître Twagiramungu, in Brussels or in the neighboring municipalities of Ixelles, Saint-Gilles, Forest and Anderlecht. His expertise and commitment will be your best assets to assert your rights and obtain the compensation you deserve.