Losing your job brings worry and plenty of questions: whether the dismissal was fair, whether your final pay has been calculated correctly, what to do about the carta documento (a formal registered letter with legal effect) you received. Before you sign anything, it is worth knowing your rights.
When a dismissal is unjustified, the law provides for severance pay. And even if you resigned or were dismissed with cause, certain payments are always due, such as the days you worked and your accrued vacation pay and 13th-month salary (aguinaldo).
Our team reviews your situation, checks the figures and explains clearly what you are owed. We send your employer a formal demand, negotiate and, if necessary, take your claim to court.
When can you make a claim?
- You were dismissed without cause.
- Your employer cited a reason that is untrue or does not justify dismissal.
- Your final pay does not include everything you are owed.
- You were dismissed in special circumstances, such as illness or pregnancy.
- You consider yourself constructively dismissed because of your employer's serious breaches.
What can you claim?
- Severance pay.
- Pay in lieu of notice, if you were not given notice.
- Your final settlement: days worked, plus accrued vacation pay and 13th-month salary (aguinaldo).
- Any additional penalties that apply in your case.
- Your employment certificate.
How we support you
Review
We review the *carta documento*, your pay slips and your final pay.
Calculation
We explain what you are owed and why.
Formal demand and negotiation
We send your employer a formal demand and seek an agreement.
Court, if needed
If no agreement is reached, we take your claim to court and stay with you until the end.
Useful documents
- Pay slips.
- The dismissal carta documento or telegram.
- Your final pay statement, if you received one.
- Proof of your length of service, working hours and duties.
- Messages or emails with your employer.
Don’t worry if you don’t have everything: we will go through it together at the consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to sign my final pay statement?
Before signing any agreement or acknowledgment, talk to us: it is important to know exactly what you are accepting.
I received a carta documento. What should I do?
A carta documento is a formal registered letter with legal effect. Read it carefully and don't ignore it: some employment communications require a reply. Bring it to the consultation and we will tell you how to respond.
Can I make a claim if I resigned?
If you resigned voluntarily, you are not entitled to severance pay, but you are still owed your final settlement. If the resignation was not truly voluntary, your case needs to be reviewed.
Related topics
General information only. It is not a substitute for advice on your specific case.