Labor National Court: Dismissal Letter May Be Considered a Special Event and Cause Mental Injury Recognized as a Work Accident

In depth

The National Labor Court ruled for the first time that receiving a dismissal letter constitutes a special event beyond the routine of work. According to the ruling, it does not matter what the grounds for dismissal were, whether a proper hearing was held, whether the employee was warned, or how long the employee had worked at the same place.

An employee dismissed at age 64 claimed that following receipt of the dismissal letter he suffered depression, anxiety and insomnia. The National Labor Court accepted his appeal and ordered that an expert be appointed to examine whether there is a connection between the dismissal and the mental injury.

A mental injury caused by receipt of a dismissal letter may be considered a work accident and entitle the employee to a benefit from the National Insurance Institute, if a connection between the two is established.