Venice – A luxury hotel on the Lido di Venezia is paying dearly for firing an employee during her probationary period: The five-star hotel must pay approximately 60,000 euros to a young woman whom it had let go after just a few days of working as a dining room and housekeeping attendant. A court ruled that the action was unlawful—with far-reaching consequences for the business.
In the spring of 2024, the hotel had asked the applicant to spend a few days familiarizing herself with her duties. After five days—three of which she spent at the hotel—management deemed her unsuitable and terminated her employment. The key point: Legally, these days were considered unreported work—that is, illegal employment.
Termination During the Probationary Period: Why This Ruling Is So Costly
Because the probationary days had not been properly reported, the court declared the fixed-term contract null and void and retroactively converted it into a permanent employment relationship effective from the first day. This invoked the famous Article 18 of the Italian Workers’ Statute, which protects employees from unjustified dismissals. The total amount consists of twelve months’ salary plus the 13th and 14th month’s salaries, as well as an additional 15 months’ salary as severance pay, because the woman chose not to return to the company. In addition, there are approximately 6,000 euros in legal costs.
The case is causing a stir in the tourism industry, especially at the start of the peak season, when many businesses are desperately looking for staff and trial periods are common practice. It serves as a reminder that even short „trial days“ must be properly registered—otherwise, what is supposed to be a non-binding trial period can quickly turn into a permanent employment relationship.
