Lawyers for Dismissal of Employees in Italy

A foreign entrepreneur who wants to dismiss a part of his employees must know the main local regulations and laws related to this field. Our Italian employment lawyers can help.

Firstly, the foreign investors must respect the provisions of the Italian Constitution and the Civil Code and then there are certain laws to be obeyed: 604/1966, 108/1990, 300/1970, 223/1991, Legislative Decree 23/2015 (for employees hired since 7 March 2015) etc. The restrictions related to dismissals are not applied to employees who already qualify for the old-age pension, executives (dirigenti), domestic workers and for those who are on their probation period.

Types of dismissals in Italy

There are four types of dismissals in Italy and every foreign entrepreneur who has Italian employees must decide which type suits best to his intentions:

–    individual dismissals without the legal need of presenting a valid reason;
–    individual dismissal with a solid reason;
–    individual dismissal for a justified reason;
–    collective dismissal.

The first type of dismissal is used for employees who can retire and who don’t want to work anymore at the same employee. Free dismissal is also allowed for employees who are during their probation period, the second type (just cause) applies to serious misconduct and requires no notice, and the third type (justified reason, subjective or objective) is used for less serious breaches or economic/organisational reasons, with notice and the last type is for the dismissal of many employees.

The solid reason for a dismissal (the so called “giusta causa” in Italian) is a serious problem created by a certain employee who can not continue to work at the same company. This could happen also as a result of the misconduct of the employee, for example a theft or insubordination.

Citizens from abroad who want to buy a house in Italy are advised not to act on their own, but to contract the services of our law office. There are situations in which the respective property can be the subject of a dispute, and until this issue is resolved, it cannot be sold. In this approach, our Italian employment lawyers can take care of the verification of the documents and the history of the respective property, and then we will review the sale-purchase contract.

The notice before the dismissal

The dismissal of employees must be done in writing and a notice announcing the dismissal must be presented to the employee. The employer should offer a reason, also in writing, for the dismissal. The notice will be given to the employee 15 days before dismissal or more – up to 12 months, according to the seniority of the employee and position in company.  

The employers, who don’t offer a notice to the employees who are to be dismissed, are required to pay them an indemnity that is the salary due to the employee for the period of notice.

If you need more information about the dismissal of employees and you want legal assistance, you may contact our law office in Italy. Our Italian employment lawyers will offer you legal advice so you can dismiss your employees according to the Italian regulations and laws.