Received a Notice of Termination – What to Do Now
October 2026 – Authors: Attorney Volker Mauch, Attorney Till Heinrich
A notice of termination can raise many questions. Above all, it’s important to stay calm, secure your documents, and keep track of deadlines. The following steps provide some initial guidance:
1. Record the date of receipt
Make a note of when you received the notice of termination, and keep the letter along with the envelope. For important deadlines, the date of receipt of the notice generally applies—not the date stated in the letter.
2. Have the termination reviewed promptly
A termination must be issued in writing; electronic form is not permitted. Therefore, a termination via email or messaging app is generally not sufficient. However, whether the termination is valid in a specific case depends on the circumstances. If in doubt, contact a specialized attorney as soon as possible. We are here to assist you quickly and easily at any time.
3. Observe the three-week deadline
Anyone wishing to challenge a written termination in court must generally file a claim for protection against wrongful termination with the labor court within three weeks of receiving the notice. If this deadline is missed, the termination is generally considered valid. Therefore, have even a termination that appears unambiguous at first glance reviewed.
4. Secure your documents and do not sign anything hastily
Gather your employment contract, addenda, written warnings, pay stubs, and all communication with your employer. Do not sign any termination, settlement, or waiver agreements before you have reviewed their consequences. Such agreements can affect your entitlements and your eligibility for unemployment benefits.
5. Register with the Employment Agency
Register as a job seeker in a timely manner. If there are fewer than three months between the time you learn of the termination date and the end of the employment relationship, you must generally register within three days.
6. Consider your residence permit
If your residence permit is tied to your employment, a termination may also raise issues regarding your right of residence. Have the potential effects of the termination of your employment on your residence permit and your next steps reviewed promptly.
In the event of termination, an early legal review is important. We advise and represent employees in matters of labor law and, if necessary, also take into account the consequences under residence law.