MAKE YOUR FREE Dismissal letter

What is it for?

  • Make your document in minutes
  • Access from any device
  • Securely sign online

Learn more about Dismissal letter

A dismissal letter is a formal notification informing an employee that they are being dismissed.

When dismissing an employee, you would need to make sure you follow the correct procedure and avoid getting into the Employment Tribunal. This can be a complicated process, particularly if there have been misconduct or performance issues.

Use these dismissal letters when you want to dismiss an employee. Answer a few simple questions to create your dismissal letter.

Usually, a dismissal will be considered fair if the employer can show that it is related to a fair reason and if the reason for dismissal doesn’t fall under one of the above categories, the dismissal could potentially be considered unfair.

Fair reasons are:

  • an employee’s misconduct (eg theft, poor attendance or violence)

  • the employee’s lack of capability or qualification

  • a genuine redundancy

  • a statutory requirement (eg an employee needed to drive but has had their driving licence revoked)

  • some other substantial reason (eg the employee unreasonably refuses to accept changes to their terms of employment)

Ask a lawyer for advice where you're not sure if your reason for dismissal is a fair one.

Make sure you do things right when dismissing an employee.

  • If an employee does not qualify for unfair dismissal rights a general dismissal (termination of employment) letter is usually satisfactory.

  • If they do qualify for unfair dismissal rights then you may need a dismissal letter for poor performance or misconduct.

  • If at any time an employee commits an act of gross misconduct a summary (instant) dismissal letter will dismiss that employee without notice.

Read our legal guide on Dismissing an employee and use a Dismissal checklist to ensure you have followed the necessary steps.