Lithuania’s State Labour Inspectorate warns that an employee’s request to quit a job is lawful only if it reflects the worker’s genuine and free will, not pressure, deception or coercion by an employer.
In a statement to the media, the inspectorate said it continues to see cases in which employees are summoned urgently to workplaces and asked to sign documents described as correcting “mistakes”, only to later discover they had signed a request to resign voluntarily. In some instances, workers say they did not fully understand what they were signing until after their employment had already ended.
Such situations are particularly sensitive when employees are only a few years away from retirement, the inspectorate said.
Pressure or deception is not a lawful dismissal
“An employer has no right to force an employee to write a request to leave a job voluntarily or to obtain a signature through deception,” said Šarūnas Orlavičius, chancellor of the State Labour Inspectorate. “A termination of an employment contract is lawful only when it reflects the employee’s true will and is based on a free decision.”
According to Orlavičius, pressure, intimidation, rushing employees to sign documents or presenting paperwork under misleading circumstances are illegal actions. If it is established that a worker was forced to resign or misled into signing, the dismissal may be declared unlawful.
In such cases, employees may be reinstated to their former positions and awarded average wages for the entire period of forced absence. Courts may also order compensation for financial and nonfinancial damages, and employers may face administrative penalties for labour law violations.
When and how can a resignation be withdrawn?
If an employee realises that a resignation request was signed hastily or without fully understanding its consequences, the request can be withdrawn within three working days of submission, provided the employment contract has not yet been terminated. After that period, a withdrawal is possible only with the employer’s consent, under Lithuania’s Labour Code.
If the employment relationship has already ended, the worker has the right to challenge the dismissal as unlawful.
How can employees prove the decision was not free?
The burden of proof rests with the employee. Claims of unlawful dismissal must be filed with the Labour Disputes Commission within one month from the date the employee learned, or should have learned, that their rights were violated.
The inspectorate emphasises the importance of collecting evidence, including emails, text messages, possible recordings of conversations and witness statements that may confirm pressure, threats or deception by the employer.
What to do if you feel pressured to resign
The State Labour Inspectorate says it regularly receives inquiries from employees who feel pressured to quit. While no separate statistics are kept, the agency’s experience suggests such cases are gradually declining, though the issue remains relevant.
“We advise employees not to rush into signing any documents, especially if they are presented urgently or without a clear explanation,” Orlavičius said. “It is always worth carefully reviewing the content and seeking advice.”
Employees who experience psychological pressure, workplace bullying or deception have the right to file a complaint with the State Labour Inspectorate or defend their rights through the Labour Disputes Commission. Each case is assessed individually, based on the circumstances and available evidence.
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