In Cyprus, protection is afforded against unfair dismissal to all employees, under the Termination of Employment Law 24/67 as amended. The legislation covers all employees, whether in private sector or public sector, including apprentices.

Termination of an employment

An employer intending to terminate the employment of an employee, who has completed at least 26 weeks of continuous employment, is obliged to give to the employee a notice of termination in writing.  The minimum period of notice depends on the length of his service as follows:

The employer has the right to require the employee to accept payment of his wages, in lieu of the period of notice to which he is entitled. An employee, who has been given notice, is entitled to a full paid time off from work not exceeding 8 hours per week and a maximum of 40 hours in total, in order to be able to seek a new employment.  The employer has the right to terminate the employment of an employee without notice, where the employee’s conduct is such as to justify his dismissal without notice.

• Conduct of the employee makes it clear that the relationship between the employer and the employee cannot reasonably be expected to be continued.
• Gross misconduct by the employee in the course of his duties.
• Commission by the employee in the course of his duties of a criminal offence without the agreement, expressed or implied, of his employer.
• Immoral behaviour by the employee in the course of his duties.
• Serious or repeated contravention or disregard by the employee of work or other rules in relation to his employment.

No compensation is payable in the case of any employee, who, before the termination of his employment, has attained the pensionable age (65).  An employee is not entitled to compensation if his employment has been terminated for any of the following reasons:

• Where the employee has become redundant.
• Where the termination is due to force majeure, act of war, civil commotion, act of God, destruction or similar circumstances.
• If the employment is terminated at the end of a fixed period of employment.
• Dismissal due to the employee’s own fault, i.e. he fails to carry out his work in a reasonably efficient manner or commits serious disciplinary or criminal offence. In such a case the employer is entitled to terminate the employment without notice.

Dismissal by reasons of redundancy

Where an employee is dismissed on grounds of redundancy, the employer is obliged under the legislation to give notice to the Ministry of Employment and Social Insurance of any proposed redundancy dismissal at least one month prior the date of termination.

“Redundancy” is defined as termination of employment in the following cases:

(a) The employer has ceased or intends to cease carrying on the business in which the employee is engaged

(b) The employer has ceased or intends to cease carrying on the business at the place where the employee is engaged

(c) For any of the following reasons which relate to the operation of the business:

(i) Modernization, automation or any other changes in the methods of production or organization which reduces the number of necessary employees
(ii) Changes in the products or the methods of production or the necessary qualifications of the employees
(iii) Closing down of departments
(iv) Difficulties in placing products in the market or credit difficulties
(v) Lack of orders or raw materials
(vi) Rarity of means of production
(vii) Reduction of the capacity of work

Within 8 months of redundancy, if an employee wishes to increase his workforce, he must give priority to employees dismissed on grounds of redundancy.

An unfairly dismissed employee can bring a claim at the Industrial Dispute Tribunal or a claim for breach of contract in the District Court, depending on the circumstances.

Power of the Labour Disputes Court to order re-instatement of an employee

Where the termination of the employment of an employee who has worked for an employer employing 19 or more employees, is considered unlawful and as an act of bad faith, the Labour Disputes Court, may, following an application by the employee concerned and if it thinks fit considering the circumstances of the case, order the re-instatement of that employee, as well as the payment of damages for the actual loss suffered by the employee. The amount of damages cannot exceed the wages of 12 months.

Whether you are an employer or an employee, our team of lawyers can provide professional advice to any employment law dispute. If you require any further information please contact us at info@pirilides.com.