Ending employment in Ghana: notice and unfair termination
How much notice the Labour Act requires, and when a dismissal may be unfair. A short guide for employers and employees.
· 1 min read
The Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) sets the minimum rules for ending a contract of employment. A written contract can give more protection, but not less.
Minimum notice
- Contract of three years or more: one month's notice or one month's pay in lieu.
- Contract of less than three years: two weeks' notice or two weeks' pay in lieu.
- Week-to-week contract: seven days' notice.
When termination is unfair
Dismissing a worker because of union membership, pregnancy, gender, religion, disability or for bringing a complaint against the employer is unfair. So is dismissal without a valid reason or without a fair procedure.
Making a complaint
A worker who believes they were unfairly dismissed may complain to the National Labour Commission. The complaint should be made within six months of the termination.
Leave
Every worker is entitled to at least 15 working days of paid annual leave, and this entitlement cannot be given up by agreement.
Sources
- Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), sections 15 to 19 (termination) and 63 to 66 (unfair termination)
- Labour Regulations, 2007 (L.I. 1833)
- GhaLII, Ghana Legal Information Institute (texts of Ghanaian statutes and judgments)
This article is general information about Ghanaian law, not legal advice. Speak to a lawyer about your own situation.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Please contact us about your own situation.
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