Definition

Summary dismissal

What does it mean?

Summary dismissal (bortvisning) ends employment immediately without ordinary notice when one party commits a fundamental breach — e.g. theft, violence, serious harassment (employee) or failure to pay wages, serious safety breach (employer).

High legal bar: the breach must be sufficiently grave that continuing the relationship is unreasonable. Employers often get bortvisning wrong — consult union or lawyer if dismissed this way.

Employee summary dismissal of employer (walking out) is equally exceptional — unpaid wages or serious safety failures may justify it after proper escalation.

Consequences include loss of notice pay rights and potential disputes at industrial tribunal (faglig voldgift) or courts. Document events and seek immediate legal advice.

Magnus Villumsen, Content Creator at Arbejd.com
Defined by Arbejd.com

Magnus Villumsen

Content Creator
Last updated
March 7, 2026