Guides and explainers
Plain guides to your rights, the process, the costs and the mistakes to avoid after a dismissal.
These guides explain your rights and the claim process in plain language, one question per page.
Not sure where to begin? Start with the first group, then read the one that matches what happened to you.
Just dismissed: what to do first
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The deadline, the documents to save and the mistakes to avoid in the first days.
What to do in the first daysThe clock starts the day you are dismissed, so the first moves matter most.What to do first after dismissalYou just lost your job and need a clear first step, not a lecture.How to tell if your dismissal was unfairYou know it felt wrong, and you want a way to check it.Is it unfair or wrongful dismissal?These two legal terms sound alike but lead to different claims and different courts.What does legal help cost after dismissal?Money is already tight, and you want to know the cost before you commit.How an unfair dismissal claim worksYou want to know what happens after you file, step by step.Mistakes to avoid after being firedWhat you do in the first few days can help or hurt a later claim.Common myths about unfair dismissalSome of what people assume about dismissal rights in Malaysia is simply wrong.Is claiming unfair dismissal worth it?You are tired and short of money, and wonder if a claim is worth the effort.Missed the filing deadline?The days ran out before you filed, and you want to know if anything can be done.How is your filing deadline counted?You are close to the limit and need to know which day is day one.Filing your claim onlineYou plan to file online and want to know what to prepare first.What to save before access endsYour work access may close within hours and you need to know what to save.Is being fired by WhatsApp legal?You were dismissed by message, and you want to know if that changes anything.What to do after being dismissedYou were just dismissed and are unsure what to do first.What does an unfair dismissal claim cost?You want the real cost of a claim before you commit time or money.The steps in an unfair dismissal claimYou want to see the sequence a claim goes through from start to finish.Is an unfair dismissal claim worth it?You are weighing whether a claim is worth the effort it will take.When not to claim unfair dismissalYou are wondering whether filing a claim is the right move for your situation.How to prepare for a claimYou want a clear list of what to gather before you speak to anyone.Your rights after a dismissalYou want a plain list of what rights you have after being dismissed.What to do about filing a claimYou want to file a dismissal claim and are not sure what comes first.What Does Filing A Dismissal Claim Cost?You want to know what you would pay before you file.The Steps To File Your Dismissal ClaimYou are ready to file and want to know what happens, in order.How Long Does Filing A Claim Take?You were dismissed and want to know how the filing stage runs.Mistakes To Avoid When Filing A ClaimA few small errors can weaken your claim before conciliation starts.Myths About Filing A Dismissal ClaimSome common beliefs about filing are wrong, and they make people wait too long.Is Filing A Dismissal Claim Worth It?You are unsure whether a claim is worth the time and stress.When You Should Not File A ClaimFiling is not always the right move, and some problems belong elsewhere.How To Prepare To File Your ClaimYou plan to file and want your papers ready before the deadline.Your Rights When Filing A Dismissal ClaimYou are about to file and want to know what protects you.
Types of dismissal
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How each kind of dismissal works, what makes it unfair and what it can cost or take.
The types of dismissalYour employer called it one thing, and you are not sure the law agrees.What is constructive dismissal?You resigned because of how your employer treated you, and you wonder if you can still claim.The four conditions courts look forYou resigned, or are about to, because of what your employer did.Told to resign or be fired?Your employer gave you an ultimatum and you have not decided what to do.Should you resign before you claim?You are thinking of resigning and worry the timing could hurt your claim.A resignation letter that protects your claimYou plan to resign and want the letter to support a later claim.Your rights if dismissed on probationYou were dismissed before being confirmed and wonder if you still have rights.What to do if fired on probationYou were let go before confirmation and need to know your first steps.Probation extended or terminated?Your probation was extended or ended and you are unsure what that means for you.Is your improvement plan genuine?You are on a performance plan and suspect the outcome is already decided.What a fair performance dismissal looks likeYou were dismissed for poor performance and want to know if the process was fair.How many warnings must come first?You were dismissed after few warnings, or none, and wonder if that is allowed.How a misconduct dismissal should unfoldYou were accused of misconduct and want to know what steps should have happened.Was your retrenchment fair?You were retrenched and doubt that the reason or the selection was real.How Last In First Out worksYou think the wrong people were chosen in your retrenchment.Should you accept a voluntary package?Your employer offered you a package to leave and you have to decide.Claiming income support after retrenchmentYou lost your job and need money coming in while you look for work.Retrenched while the company keeps hiringYou lost your job as redundant, then saw your old role advertised.What to do before you resignWork has become unbearable and you are close to resigning, but you have not left yet.What does a forced resignation claim cost?You want to know what a claim over a forced resignation could cost you.The steps in a forced resignation claimYou want to see how a claim moves from your resignation to a possible award.How long does a forced resignation claim take?You want an honest answer on how long a claim takes, not a vague guess.Mistakes that weaken a forced resignation claimA few quiet errors can weaken your case before it even starts.Myths about being forced to resignSome things you have heard about constructive dismissal are not quite accurate.Is a forced resignation claim worth it?You are trying to decide whether this claim is worth the effort.When not to claim constructive dismissalYou are wondering whether resigning and filing a claim is really the right move.How to prepare a forced resignation claimYou want a checklist built around the legal test before you take another step.Your rights if you were forced outYou resigned because of your employer and want to know if the law protects you.Told to resign or be fired?Your employer gave you an ultimatum and you have not answered yet.What does a forced resignation claim cost?You were pushed to resign and want to know what a claim would cost.The steps after you were pushed to resignYou resigned under pressure and want to see how a claim moves forward.How long does a forced resignation claim take?You want an honest sense of how long a claim takes from ultimatum to award.Mistakes to avoid after a forced resignationA few quiet errors after a resign-or-be-fired ultimatum can weaken your case.Myths about being pushed to resignSome things you have heard about resign-or-be-fired situations are not quite accurate.Is a forced resignation claim worth it?You are trying to decide whether a claim after the ultimatum is worth the effort.When not to pursue a forced resignation claimYou are wondering whether resigning and filing a claim is really the right move.How to prepare after the ultimatumYou want a checklist of what to gather after being told to resign or be fired.Your rights after a resign-or-be-fired ultimatumYou were told to resign or be fired and want to know where you stand.What to do after a retrenchment noticeYou just got a retrenchment notice and want to know what to check before you accept.What challenging a retrenchment costsYour notice may not be a genuine redundancy, and you need to know what checking costs.How a retrenchment challenge worksYou have a retrenchment notice and want to know what happens if you challenge it.How long a retrenchment challenge takesYou are planning your money and job search and need to know how long this could run.Retrenchment mistakes to avoidYou have a notice in hand and do not want an early slip to cost you.Myths about being retrenchedYou have heard things about retrenchment in Malaysia and are not sure which are true.Is challenging your retrenchment worth it?You are tired and unsure whether pushing back on your notice will be worth the effort.When not to challenge a retrenchmentYour retrenchment may be fair, and there may be a better route than a claim.How to prepare a retrenchment challengeYou want a checklist of what to gather before you respond to your retrenchment.Your rights after a retrenchmentYou were retrenched and want to know which protections still apply to you.What to do after losing your probationYou were let go during probation and are not sure what to do first.What a probation dismissal claim costsThe lower back wages cap makes you wonder whether a claim is worth paying for.How a probation dismissal claim worksYou were let go on probation and want to see what a claim involves, step by step.How long a probation claim takesYou were let go on probation and need to plan around how long a claim could take.Probation dismissal mistakes to avoidYou were let go on probation and want to avoid slips that weaken your position.Myths about being dismissed on probationYou have heard things about probation dismissals and are not sure which are true.Is a probation dismissal claim worth it?You were let go during probation and wonder whether a claim makes sense.When not to claim over a probation dismissalNot every probation dismissal is worth a claim, and some have a faster route.How to prepare after a probation dismissalYou were dismissed on probation and want to know what to gather first.Your rights after a probation dismissalYour job ended during probation, and you want to know what you can still do.What to do after a misconduct dismissalYou were dismissed over alleged misconduct and want to know what to do first.What a misconduct dismissal claim costsYou got a show cause letter and want to know what a claim would cost.How long a misconduct claim takesYour dismissal followed a show cause letter, and you want to know the timeline from here.Mistakes after a misconduct dismissalYou were dismissed over alleged misconduct and want to avoid weakening your case.Myths about misconduct dismissal in MalaysiaSome things you have heard about misconduct dismissal are not true under the law.Is a misconduct dismissal claim worth it?You were dismissed over alleged misconduct and wonder whether a claim is worth it.When not to claim over a misconduct dismissalNot every misconduct dismissal is worth a claim, and some have a better route.How to prepare after a misconduct dismissalYou were dismissed over alleged misconduct and want to know what to gather first.Your rights after a misconduct dismissalYou were dismissed over alleged misconduct and want to know what you can still do.What to do after a poor performance dismissalYou were dismissed for poor performance and want to know what to do first.What a poor performance claim costsYou were put on a performance plan, then dismissed, and want to know the cost of a claim.How a poor performance claim worksYou were dismissed for poor performance and want to see how a claim runs.How long a poor performance claim takesYou were put on a performance plan before dismissal and want to know the timeline.Mistakes after a poor performance dismissalA few avoidable mistakes can weaken a poor performance claim before it starts.Myths about poor performance dismissalSome beliefs about poor performance dismissal are wrong, and they stop people checking their options.Is a poor performance claim worth it?You were dismissed for poor performance and wonder whether a claim makes sense.When not to claim over poor performanceNot every poor performance dismissal is worth a claim, and some have a better route.How to prepare after a poor performance dismissalYou were dismissed for poor performance and want to know what to gather first.Your rights after a performance dismissalYour job ended over performance concerns, and you want to know what you can still do.
The claim process
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From the Section 20 filing to conciliation and the Industrial Court, step by step.
How the legal process worksFrom your first written claim to a decision, here is the path in order.How long does an unfair dismissal case take?You need to plan your money and your next job around an uncertain wait.How to file your unfair dismissal claimYou want to file and need to know what the representation must say.What happens at JPPM conciliationYour claim is going to conciliation and you want to know what to expect.Can a lawyer join your conciliation?You have a conciliation coming and want to know if a lawyer can attend.JPPM or the Labour Office?You are not sure where to take your complaint and do not want to lose time.What to expect at the Industrial CourtYour claim may reach a hearing and you want to know how it works.How back wages are calculatedYou want to know how much salary you could be awarded and what reduces it.Compensation instead of your job backYou do not want your old job back and wonder what the law offers instead.How to estimate your compensationYou want a rough idea of what a claim could be worth before you decide.Your job back or compensation?You are deciding whether to ask for your job back or for money.Your Case Is Going To The Industrial CourtConciliation did not settle it, and you want to know what to do now.What Does An Industrial Court Case Cost?You want to know what a hearing might cost before you commit.How An Industrial Court Case WorksYour case is at the Industrial Court and you want the steps in order.How Long Does An Industrial Court Case Take?You want a realistic sense of timing before you plan around the case.Mistakes To Avoid At The Industrial CourtA few avoidable errors can weaken a good case once it reaches court.Myths About The Industrial CourtSome common beliefs about the court are wrong, and they set the wrong hopes.Is An Industrial Court Case Worth It?Your case may go to court and you are unsure it is worth continuing.When Not To Push For A Full HearingA hearing is not always your best path, and an earlier settlement may suit you.How To Prepare For The Industrial CourtYour hearing is coming and you want your papers and plans ready.Your Rights At The Industrial CourtYour case is at court and you want to know what protects you.
Evidence and documents
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What to keep, how to organise it and how to answer letters from your employer.
Evidence and documentsWhat you save in the first days can decide a claim months later.How to reply to a show cause letterYou received a show-cause letter and must reply before anything is decided.What happens at a domestic inquiryYou have been called to an internal hearing and want to know what to expect.Dismissed with no domestic inquiryYou were dismissed with no internal hearing and want to know if that matters.Your pay while suspended pending inquiryYou were suspended during an inquiry and worry about losing your pay.Your evidence checklist after dismissalYou want to know which documents to gather and how to organise them.How to write your incident chronologyYou need to turn scattered memories into a timeline a lawyer can use.
Your situation
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Pregnancy, medical leave, contracts, foreign workers and other specific cases.
Find your own situationWhatever happened to you, there is likely a page written for it.Dismissed while pregnant? Know your rightsPregnancy gives you extra legal protection on top of the usual dismissal rules.Fired while on medical leave?You were unwell and on leave, and now your job is gone.Fired after complaining about harassment?You reported harassment at work and soon after, your employer let you go.Fired for refusing an illegal order?Your employer told you to do something you believed was illegal, and you said no.Foreign worker dismissed? Your rightsYou are a foreign worker whose job in Malaysia just ended, unsure what protection you have.Was ending your contract early fair?Your fixed-term contract ended before the date written on it, with no clear reason.Am I an employee or a contractor?Your agreement says contractor, but your daily work feels like an ordinary job.Offered a quiet exit? Read this firstYou were offered a quiet exit from a senior role and are unsure if the terms are fair.
Working with a lawyer
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When to bring in a lawyer, what the first review covers and how fees work.
When to talk to a lawyerYou have read enough and want a lawyer to look at your own facts.When should you call a lawyer?You are not sure your situation is serious enough yet for an employment lawyer.What a first lawyer chat coversYou have a first conversation with a lawyer coming up and want to know what to bring.How employment lawyers charge feesYou want to know how legal fees work before you commit to hiring anyone.Can you represent yourself at court?You are wondering whether you can handle your own Industrial Court claim without a lawyer.What To Do Before Contacting A LawyerYou are thinking of contacting a lawyer and want to sort out the basics first.What Does An Employment Lawyer Cost?You are weighing fees before you contact anyone.What Working With A Lawyer Looks LikeYou are about to talk to a lawyer for the first time.How Quickly Can You Get Help?Your deadline is running and you want to know how fast help can start.Mistakes People Make Before Calling A LawyerA few avoidable errors can close off your options before anyone advises you.Myths About Hiring An Employment LawyerSome common beliefs about lawyers are wrong, and they keep people from asking for help.Is Hiring An Employment Lawyer Worth It?You are weighing whether a lawyer is worth it for your dismissal.When You Might Not Need A LawyerYou are not sure a lawyer is needed yet, and that can be true.How To Prepare For A First ConversationPrepare your dates, records and questions for an agreed consultation with an identified employment lawyer.Your Rights When Working With A LawyerYou are about to speak to a lawyer and want to know where you stand.
More guides
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Other questions workers often ask after a dismissal.
When does a salary cut become dismissal?Your employer cut your pay without your agreement and you are thinking of leaving.When does demotion become forced resignation?You lost rank or duties without agreeing to it and wonder if you can claim.When is a transfer really forced?You were moved somewhere you cannot reasonably go and feel pushed out.How retrenchment benefits are worked outYou were offered a payment and are not sure it is the right amount.When a company closes without payingYour company shut down and you are still owed wages or benefits.
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