Am I owed severance pay, and who enforces it?

Direct answer

Whether you are owed severance depends on the country, the reason for dismissal and your length of service — a legal minimum in many countries, a collective agreement in others, and sometimes only what you negotiate. What is common everywhere: get the calculation in writing, do not sign a waiver, and check before the deadline. ΠΕΟ / ΣΕΚ — συντεχνίες (peo.org.cy) knows the collective agreement and calculates for members; Δικαστήριο Εργατικών Διαφορών (supremecourt.gov.cy) enforces an unpaid severance like unpaid wages; Νομική Αρωγή (Δικαστήριο) / Παγκύπριος Δικηγορικός Σύλλογος (cyprusbarassociation.org) gives free advice if you are not a member.

Call firstΠΕΟ / ΣΕΚ — συντεχνίες

Report toΔικαστήριο Εργατικών Διαφορών

If that failsΝομική Αρωγή (Δικαστήριο) / Παγκύπριος Δικηγορικός Σύλλογος

🗣️ What to say

"My employment ended on [date] after [years] of service by [dismissal / redundancy]. Under [law / collective agreement] I am entitled to severance of [amount / formula]. Please pay it with the final salary and send the calculation in writing."

🪜 Step by step

Find the basisLaw, collective agreement or contract. ΠΕΟ / ΣΕΚ — συντεχνίες tells you in one call which applies and the formula.
Ask for the calculationYears of service, salary basis, any caps. Errors are common — in the employer's favour.
Do not sign a waiverA settlement can include severance; a "final settlement" form can waive it. Read before signing.
Unpaid: Δικαστήριο Εργατικών ΔιαφορώνPayment order or labour court, like unpaid wages. Short deadlines after the end of employment.
Tax and benefitSeverance may be taxed favourably and may delay unemployment benefit; ask before you agree the timing.

📇 All contacts

ΠΕΟ / ΣΕΚ — συντεχνίεςAdvice and representation at the Industrial Disputes CourtFor members; join right away🔗 www.peo.org.cy

Δικαστήριο Εργατικών ΔιαφορώνUnfair dismissal, wage claimsWithin 12 months of the dismissal🔗 www.supremecourt.gov.cy

Νομική Αρωγή (Δικαστήριο) / Παγκύπριος Δικηγορικός ΣύλλογοςFree lawyer for low incomesWhen you cannot afford a lawyer🔗 www.cyprusbarassociation.org

Τμήμα Εργασιακών Σχέσεων — Υπουργείο ΕργασίαςComplaints about unpaid wages, inspectionAs soon as the wages are late📞 22 803100 🔗 www.mlsi.gov.cy/dlr

❓ Frequently asked

I was on a fixed-term contract

End of a fixed term is not a dismissal, but some countries pay a fixed-term premium or end-of-contract indemnity. Ask ΠΕΟ / ΣΕΚ — συντεχνίες.

They say I was dismissed for misconduct

Serious misconduct removes severance in many countries — which is why employers allege it. Contest the ground; see the dismissal page.

Redundancy: is there a minimum?

In most countries yes, by years of service; collective agreements often add more, and a social plan more still.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

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💰 Am I owed severance pay, and who enforces it?