Payroll and Benefits Guide Guinea – Bissau

Termination Process

Employment in Guinea‑Bissau may be terminated for several legally recognized reasons:

• With Cause (Justified Dismissal): Valid grounds include serious misconduct, fraud, gross negligence, or repeated policy violations. Dismissals for these causes can be immediate and may not require notice or severance, provided the employer documents the just cause properly.

• Without Cause (Economic or Operational Reasons): Employers are permitted to dismiss employees for economic restructuring or redundancy, but must adhere to formal procedures, such as providing notice and severance pay.

• Fixed‑Term Contracts (CDD): These contracts automatically end upon the agreed expiration date. Early termination is possible only by mutual agreement or due to serious misconduct or force majeure.

• Mutual Agreement: Employers and employees may terminate an indefinite contract through mutual consent, usually documented in writing.

Notice Period

In Guinea-Bissau, notice period requirements depend on both the employee’s role and their length of service. For manual workers, the notice is 8 days for less than one year of service, 15 days for one to five years, and 30 days for more than five years. Non-manual employees must give or receive 15 days’ notice for less than a year of service, 30 days for one to five years, and 60 days for more than five years. Senior staff or management have longer requirements—30 days for less than one year, 60 days for one to five years, and 90 days for more than five years. Notice must be given in writing, and employees are generally allowed paid time off during the notice period to look for new employment.

Severance Pay

When termination occurs without justified cause, employees are entitled to severance based on their tenure. The standard formula is:

• Up to 5 years’ service: 15 days’ average wage per year

• 5–10 years: 20 days per year

• More than 10 years: 30 days per year

This compensation is calculated pro rata if service is not in full years. Severance is not granted if the dismissal is for serious misconduct.

Probation Period

In Guinea-Bissau, probationary periods are legally permitted and vary based on the nature of the role. For most workers, the probation period is generally up to 90 days. For technical or highly skilled positions, it can be extended up to 180 days, while senior management roles may have a probation period of up to 240 days. The terms of the probation must be stated in the employment contract at the start of employment. During this period, either party may terminate the contract with shorter notice—often between 24 hours and one week—without the full severance or dismissal protections that apply after probation ends.