[Direct answer]In the Beijing area, workers who have suffered work-related injuries are subject to dismissal restrictions during the statutory protection period, and employers are not allowed to arbitrarily dismiss them. According to Article 42 of the Labor Contract Law of the People's Republic of China, if a worker is injured at work and is confirmed to have lost or partially lost their ability to work, the employer shall not unilaterally terminate the labor contract in accordance with the provisions of Articles 40 and 41 of this Law. Workers with disabilities at levels I to IV shall maintain their labor relationship until retirement; those at levels V and VI may not be dismissed unless they themselves request it; and those at levels VII to X shall also be protected during the contract period. If the employer illegally dismisses the worker, the worker may claim to continue performing the contract or demand compensation at twice the standard of economic compensation. It is recommended to immediately fix the evidence of dismissal, apply for labor arbitration to confirm the illegal termination, and then claim compensation or reinstatement. For more details, please refer to the following link:Labor arbitration and legal services for work-related injury compensation.
I. Problem Background and Typical Scenarios
It is common for workers to be dismissed after a work-related injury, either during their recovery period or before their labor capacity assessment. Employers often cite reasons such as "the worker is unable to perform their duties after the medical leave expires", "the position has been eliminated", or "poor economic performance" to terminate the contract. Typical scenarios include: workers receiving termination notices while still on paid medical leave; employers dismissing workers after they are assessed as having a disability rating of 5 to 10 and unwilling to bear the associated compensation costs; and employers coaxing workers into signing voluntary resignation letters under the guise of negotiation to evade legal responsibilities. Many workers remain silent out of fear of not receiving a severance certificate or of causing trouble. In fact, workers' work-related injury status grants them stronger protection against dismissal, and signing documents blindly may result in the loss of compensation rights. For cases involving injury/illness and employment disputes, it is advisable to seek legal assistance to safeguard their rights and interests.Personal injury and medical dispute servicesJudgment.
II. Key points of contention
There are three key points of the dispute. Firstly, whether the termination falls into the prohibited circumstances: if the employer terminates the contract of the worker who has suffered a work-related injury in accordance with Articles 40 and 41 of the Labor Contract Law, it is generally illegal, except for the cases where the worker has committed serious violations of disciplines as stipulated in Article 39. Secondly, the relationship between the disability grade and the degree of protection: for grades 1 to 4, the employment relationship is fully maintained; for grades 5 to 6, the employer cannot terminate the contract without the worker's consent; and for grades 7 to 10, the protection is limited to the contract period. Thirdly, the calculation of compensation: the compensation for illegal termination is twice the standard of economic compensation, and the economic compensation is calculated according to the length of service. For issues involving the validity of the contract, reference can be made to the relevant provisions.Business and contract dispute services for enterprisesClarify.
III. Professional analysis by Hengluo Lawyers
Based on practical observations in handling labor dispute cases, the most common problem in work-related dismissal cases is that employers use "changes in objective circumstances" as a universal reason for termination. According to Article 42 of the Labor Contract Law, during the statutory protection period for workers injured at work, employers may not terminate the contract based on the provisions of fault-free termination or economic layoffs unless it is due to the circumstances specified in Article 39. Hengluo Lawyers usually advise: Do not sign the termination notice immediately upon receipt; verify whether the worker is in the period of suspension of work with pay or the protection period for disability; collect evidence such as the notice, chat records, and attendance records; prioritize claiming continued performance of the contract to maintain the worker's position and benefits, and only then claim compensation if necessary. For cases involving unpaid wages and compensation for benefits, the worker may proceed with legal action simultaneously.Creditor-debtor relations and enforcement case services.
IV. Practical suggestions and legal basis
The legal basis is Article 42 of the Labor Contract Law of the People's Republic of China (amended on December 28, 2012), which prohibits termination without fault in cases such as work-related injuries; Article 47, which governs the calculation of economic compensation; and Article 87, which stipulates compensation for unlawful termination; as well as the provisions of the Work-Related Injury Insurance Regulations regarding the period of suspension of work with pay and disability benefits. Practical advice: Preserve the termination notice and communication records; calculate the length of service for economic compensation and the monthly salary base; prioritize arbitration to confirm unlawful termination, then choose to continue performance or seek compensation; note that the one-year arbitration statute of limitations starts from the date of knowing that one's rights have been infringed; and claim for the continuation of benefits after returning to work. For cross-regional cases, relevant provisions can be referenced accordingly.Special services and other case-related servicesCoordinate and plan things in a comprehensive and systematic way to achieve the best results with the least effort.
5. Hengluo Law Firm's Reminder
After being dismissed following a work-related injury, don't rush to sign the resignation letter. First, determine whether you are in the period of suspension of work with pay or the disability protection period, as this determines whether the unit's termination is illegal. Make sure to obtain a written termination notice and keep all communication records as evidence. Regarding legal remedies, continuing to perform the contract can help you retain your position and subsequent benefits, while compensation is a secondary form of economic compensation. Never accept the argument of "voluntary resignation" and give up on statutory protections. If you need to evaluate your case, it is recommended to seek professional legal advice.Professional team for work-related injury compensationAnalyze the legality of the dismissal.
VI. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: After being dismissed by my employer following a work-related injury, can I win the lawsuit and get my job back?
The outcome of the lawsuit depends on whether the termination falls into the statutory prohibited circumstances. If you are still in the period of suspension of work with pay, or have been appraised as a disability grade of I to IV, grades V to VI that are not self-initiated, or grades VII to X during the contract period, and the unit terminates the contract based on the no-fault termination or layoff clauses, it is generally an illegal termination, and the probability of arbitration or litigation supporting the continuation of the contract or the payment of compensation is high. However, if you have serious disciplinary violations such as those listed in Article 39, it will be difficult to obtain compensation if the unit legally terminates the contract. It is recommended to first check your own disability grade and time period, then evaluate your chances of winning the lawsuit, and not be intimidated by the unit's unilateral statements.
Q2: If I am unlawfully dismissed by my employer, what evidence do I need to prepare?
The core evidence includes: a written notice of termination or a chat record of dismissal (to prove the facts and reasons of termination), a decision on work-related injury identification and a conclusion of labor capacity assessment (to prove the work-related injury status and protection period), a labor contract and payroll records (to prove the employment relationship and the basis for economic compensation), attendance records and sick leave notes (to prove that the employee is in the period of suspension of work with pay), social insurance records, and witness statements from colleagues. The organization of evidence focuses on three points: "work-related injury status - protection period - the employer has no legitimate reason for termination". With all the necessary materials in hand, it is more likely to confirm the illegality of the termination and avoid losing the case due to lack of evidence.
Q3: How much will it cost in legal fees and arbitration fees to protect one's rights after being dismissed due to a work-related injury?
Labor arbitration does not charge fees, significantly lowering the threshold for protecting rights. If a party is not satisfied with the arbitration decision and files a lawsuit, the case acceptance fee is generally only about ten yuan, which is borne by the losing party. Lawyer's fees depend on the complexity of the case, the amount of the claim, and the lawyer's qualifications. They are charged on a per-case basis or a percentage of the claim amount, subject to the terms of the contract. There is no standard pricing. The compensation for unlawful termination is calculated at twice the amount of economic compensation, which is usually a significant sum, sufficient to cover reasonable lawyer's costs. It is recommended to clarify the fee method and upper limit before entrusting, and to weigh the compensation amount and costs before initiating the process.
Q4: How long does it usually take from being dismissed to receiving compensation?
The timeframe depends on the procedure. Generally, the arbitration process is completed within 45 days, and it can be extended by 15 days in complex cases. For cases where the party dissents against the arbitration award and files a lawsuit, the first-instance summary procedure takes three months, and the ordinary procedure takes six months; the second-instance procedure takes three months. If the claim to continue performing the contract is supported, the employer must restore the relationship and pay back the wages; if the claim is for compensation, if the employer refuses to pay after the arbitration award or judgment takes effect, it will still need to be enforced. Overall, simple cases can be resolved in a few months, but cases with major disputes or those entering the second-instance enforcement phase may take over a year. It is recommended to simultaneously fix the employer's property clues.
Q5: What should I do first after being dismissed?
Here are the four steps of advice: First, immediately take photos of the termination notice and refuse to sign any blank or voluntary resignation documents. Second, organize the work-related injury certification, appraisal conclusions, contracts, and pay slips to confirm whether you are within the statutory protection period. Third, file a labor arbitration claim within the arbitration statute of limitations, requesting confirmation of the unlawful termination and demanding either continued performance of the contract or compensation. Fourth, if necessary, file a complaint with the labor supervision authority and simultaneously claim the unpaid benefits. Throughout the process, keep all communication records and entrust a lawyer to draft the arbitration request and evidence list, transforming a passive resignation into an active defense of rights.
The above questions and answers are mainly based on the judicial practice in Beijing. There may be differences in the interpretation of the law in different regions. It is recommended to consult a professional lawyer based on the specific circumstances of the case.
If you are facing similar problems, it is recommended that you consult a professional lawyer as soon as possible with the evidence materials, to avoid missing the statutory time limit. →Labor arbitration legal services·Beijing Henglu Law Firm
Disclaimer: This article is compiled based on current effective laws and regulations and public adjudication rules, and is for general reference only. It does not constitute a formal legal opinion on specific cases. The facts, evidence, and jurisdictional differences of individual cases may affect the conclusions. If you encounter disputes, please consult a practicing lawyer in time.