Termination of employment

Guide to ending an employment relationship

1. Ways to end an employment relationship

   As an employee you can end your employment relationship:

   • by agreement with the employer – in writing, signed by both parties, with the end date stated,
   • by notice of termination – in writing, signed by you; you do not need to state a reason,
   • by ending it during the probationary period – in writing, stating the end date; deliver it at least 3 days in advance,
   • by expiry of the period – if you have a fixed-term employment relationship.

   Important information
   The notice period is at least:

   • 1 month, if you have been employed for less than 1 year,
   • 2 months, if you have been employed for 1 to 5 years,
   • 3 months, if you have been employed for 5 years or more.
2. 1

   Agreement with the employer

   The simplest way to end an employment relationship.
   The employment relationship ends on the date agreed with the employer. This can also be immediate.
   The agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties. One copy remains with you.

3. 2

   Notice of termination by the employer

   The employer can give you notice only for reasons set out by law. These reasons are governed by the Labour Code 311/2001, § 63Opens in a new window.

4. 3

   Ending during the probationary period

   During the probationary period you can end the employment relationship at any time, even without stating a reason. The notice must be in writing and delivered to the employer at the latest 3 days before the end.

5. 4

   How to give notice

   Notice must be in writing and signed. You do not need to state a reason.
   The employment relationship ends only after the notice period under the contract or law has elapsed.

   Good to know: If the employer gives you notice, they must state a reason. It must be in accordance with the Labour Code 311/2001, § 63Opens in a new window.

6. 5

   Immediate termination of employment

   You can immediately end the employment relationship only for reasons set out by law.
   The notice must be in writing, must state the reason, and be delivered within the set deadline. The reason cannot subsequently be changed.

   When the employer can end the employment relationship
   The employer can immediately end the employment relationship if the employee:

   • was finally convicted of an intentional crime,
   • seriously breached work discipline. The employer can decide:
   • at the latest within 2 months of the day they learned of the reason,
   • at the latest within 1 year of the reason arising.

   When you can end the employment relationship
   As an employee you can immediately end the employment relationship if:

   • according to a medical opinion you cannot continue working without endangering your health and the employer did not offer you other suitable work within 15 days,
   • the employer did not pay your wages or wage compensation within 15 days after the due date,
   • your life or health is directly endangered,
   • you cannot work without endangering your morals (applies to minors).

   Important information: You must exercise immediate termination of the employment relationship within 1 month of the day you learned of the reason. You are entitled to compensation of wages equal to your average monthly earnings for 2 months.

7. 6

   Important documents after ending employment

   After the end of the employment relationship, the employer must give you:

   • a certificate of employment,
   • a certificate of taxable wages and tax advances (annual tax reconciliation).

   On request
   At your request, the employer will issue you:

   • a work reference – at the latest within 15 days of the request.