Payroll and Benefits Guide Lebanon

Termination Process

• Termination by Employee

  • The employee must submit a written resignation and serve the required notice, unless the employer waives it. Failure to provide the notice allows the employer to seek compensation for that notice period.

• Termination by Employer without Cause

  • Must provide written notice based on the employee’s length of service:

    • Under 3 years: 1 month

    • 3–6 years: 2 months

    • 6–12 years: 3 months

    • Over 12 years: 4 months

  • If notice isn’t given, the employer must pay in lieu of notice.

• Immediate Dismissal with Cause

  • Allowed without notice or severance for serious offenses, including fraud, absence without excuse, serious negligence, revealing company secrets, criminal convictions, or workplace assault. Proper documentation and an impartial investigation are required.

Notice Period

• Up to 3 years of service – 1 month’s notice

• 3–6 years of service – 2 months’ notice

• 6–12 years of service – 3 months’ notice

• Over 12 years of service – 4 months’ notice

If notice is not given, the employer must pay salary in lieu of the notice period.

Severance Pay

• Termination without cause: Employees are entitled to one month’s salary for each year of service, prorated for partial years, paid upon termination.

• Unfair or abusive dismissal: Additional compensation of up to 12 months’ salary, considering factors like age, years of service, the nature of work, and the circumstances surrounding the dismissal

Probation Period

• The standard probation period is up to three months.

• During probation, either party may terminate the contract without notice or severance, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

• Some sectors or contracts may set shorter or longer probation terms, but these must be explicitly stated in the employment contract and comply with labor law.