What To Do After Being Dismissed
You were just dismissed and are unsure what to do first before the moment passes you by.
Your job ended, and the shock of it is making it hard to think clearly about what comes next.
A short, practical order of steps can help more right now than trying to decide everything at once. Working through them one at a time keeps the situation manageable instead of overwhelming.
What should you do in the first few hours?
Write down the exact date you were dismissed, since that single date starts your sixty day window to act1. Ask for the reason in writing if your employer has not already given you one clearly, and keep that written reason safe.
Do not sign anything you are handed on the spot, even if it looks routine. Ask to take it home first, and read it again once the initial shock has settled.
What should you gather in the first few days?
Collect your employment contract, your dismissal letter, recent pay slips, and any messages or emails connected to the events leading up to it. Save copies somewhere separate from your work accounts, in case access changes without warning.
Note the names of anyone who witnessed key moments, along with what they saw, while your memory of it is still fresh. A short written timeline, even a rough one, is worth more later than you might expect right now.
Who has to justify what happened to you?
Your employer carries the burden of proving a fair reason for the dismissal, not the other way around2. That does not mean you can skip preparation, but it does mean you are not starting from a position of having to prove your own innocence.
Knowing this can also change how you read your dismissal letter. A vague or generic reason is worth flagging rather than accepting at face value.
What should you do this week?
Use the deadline calculator to confirm exactly how many days you have left to file a Section 20 representation. Read your rights after an unfair dismissal and how to prepare your case while you decide your next move.
None of these steps require you to have made a final decision yet. They simply keep your options open while you work out what feels right.
A short conversation with a lawyer now can save you from decisions that are hard to undo later.
A lawyer can look at what happened and tell you which of these steps matters most for your specific situation.
Common questions
What is the very first thing I should do after a dismissal?
Write down the exact date you were dismissed, since that date starts your sixty day window. Then ask for the reason in writing if it was not already given to you clearly.
Should I sign anything my employer gives me right away?
Not before you have had it reviewed. A settlement or release document can affect your options later, so slow down even if you feel pressure to respond quickly.
What should I gather in the first few days?
Your contract, your dismissal letter, recent pay slips, and any messages connected to the events. Save everything in one place so it is ready when you need it.
Do I have to decide today whether to file a claim?
No, but you do need to track your deadline from day one. You can keep gathering information and speaking with a lawyer while you decide what to do next.
Sources
- An employee who believes they were dismissed without just cause or excuse may file a Section 20 representation with the Director General of Industrial Relations within sixty days of the dismissal. Mah Weng Kwai & Associates
- In an unfair dismissal case, the burden of proof rests on the employer to show just cause or excuse for the dismissal. Mah Weng Kwai & Associates
Keep reading
A lawyer can look at what happened and tell you which of these steps matters most for your specific situation.