Template in Word and PDFTemplates for dismissal and the end of the contract

Dismissal for serious cause letter template: two models for Belgium

With a dismissal for serious cause the contract ends at once, without notice and without compensation. You dismiss within 3 working days of knowing the facts with certainty, and notify the facts by registered letter within 3 working days of the dismissal. Model A does both in one letter. The templates are in Dutch and French.

Figures in this template checked on

Which dismissal for serious cause letter do you use?

Use model A if you notify the dismissal and the facts together, in one registered letter. Use model B if the dismissal has already been given, for example orally, and the facts still have to be notified. The burden of proof is on you. Miss a deadline and the serious cause lapses.

This template contains 2 texts, each on its own page:

  1. 01Model A: ontslag en feiten in één brief
  2. 02Model B: kennisgeving van de feiten na een ontslag

How to fill in the dismissal for serious cause letter

  1. 1

    Note the day you knew the facts with certainty: the 3 working days run from then. A Saturday counts, a Sunday or public holiday does not.

  2. 2

    Describe the facts precisely: the date, the time, what happened, who established it and which documents prove it.

  3. 3

    Explain, in your own context, why the facts make any further working relationship immediately and permanently impossible.

  4. 4

    Send it by registered post or bailiff. If you hand over the letter with the facts in person, have the employee sign a duplicate for receipt.

The text of the template

Below is the Dutch text, as used in Flanders. The fields to fill in are in square brackets. In the Word file they are highlighted.

01Model A: ontslag en feiten in één brief

Aangetekend

[Naam werknemer], [adres]

[Plaats], [datum]

Betreft: ontslag om dringende reden

Geachte heer, mevrouw,

Wij beëindigen uw arbeidsovereenkomst vandaag met onmiddellijke ingang om dringende reden, zonder opzegtermijn en zonder vergoeding.

Wij verwijten u de volgende feiten. Op [datum], omstreeks [uur], heeft u [precieze omschrijving van de feiten]. Dit werd vastgesteld door [naam en functie] en blijkt uit [stukken]. Wij kregen zekerheid over deze feiten op [datum], toen [hoe de zekerheid ontstond].

Deze feiten maken elke verdere professionele samenwerking onmiddellijk en definitief onmogelijk, omdat [korte reden in uw context, bijvoorbeeld: uw functie vereist dat wij u volledig kunnen vertrouwen met de kas].

Uw eindafrekening en sociale documenten ontvangt u binnen de wettelijke termijnen.

Met vriendelijke groeten,

[Naam, functie, handtekening]

02Model B: kennisgeving van de feiten na een ontslag

Aangetekend

Betreft: kennisgeving van de dringende reden

Geachte heer, mevrouw,

Op [datum] hebben wij uw arbeidsovereenkomst beëindigd om dringende reden. Wij delen u hierbij de feiten mee die dat ontslag rechtvaardigen: [precieze omschrijving, met data, plaatsen en getuigen].

Met vriendelijke groeten,

[Naam, functie, handtekening]

Disclaimer

This template gives general information and follows the rules in force on 8 October 2026. It is not legal advice, and no rights can be derived from it. Your joint committee, your work rules and the facts of your case may call for a different text.

Dismissal for serious cause

Unsure about your situation?

Your dedicated contact at Business Centrum looks at it for your situation, together with Acerta, before you send it.

Have it checkedOr call 09 395 94 00
More explanationThe rules behind this template, with worked examples and the pitfalls, are inDismissal for serious cause in Belgium: how to get it right as an employer

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