Wrongful dismissal in Mexico: estimate what you can recover

Were you fired without cause, without written notice, or pressured to resign? Answer seven questions about how your job ended, your pay and your length of service, and see right away an estimate of how much you could recover for a wrongful dismissal under Mexican law. Then a Castro Defense lawyer reviews your case and tells you which deadline applies. We work online with employees anywhere in Mexico. No upfront fees: we only get paid if we recover.

Case review · 3 min

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No upfront fees: we only get paid if we recover. Fees: a percentage of what is recovered, set by the complexity of the case.

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01

How did your job end?

Choose the option closest to your case.

I was fired verbally, with no written noticeI was given a written dismissal noticeI was pressured to sign a resignationI was made to sign blank pages or documents I did not understandMy pay was cut or stoppedI still work there, but they want to fire me

02

When did it happen?

Skip this question if you answered: I still work there, but they want to fire me

Less than a month agoOne to two months agoMore than two months ago

Exact date (optional)

03

What did you earn and since when did you work there?

An estimate is enough. With these details we show you an estimate of what you could claim.

Your pay, in Mexican pesos *What you received each pay period, before deductions.

How often were you paid? *Select…DailyWeeklyEvery two weeks (quincena)Monthly

Date you started working there *If you do not remember the day, enter an approximate one.

Job title or duties (optional)

Company or employer (optional)

04

How were you paid?

With pay slips and IMSS registrationWith pay slips, without IMSS registrationIn cash or by transfer, without pay slipsI am not sure

05

Do they owe you anything else?

Check anything that applies. If nothing, just continue.

Unpaid days or weeks of payChristmas bonus (aguinaldo)Vacation days or vacation premiumOvertimeProfit sharing (PTU)I was not paid my final settlement (finiquito)

06

Which documents or evidence do you have?

Check any you have. If none, just continue.

Pay slips or CFDIEmployment contractID badge, card or uniformDismissal noticeBank statements showing my pay depositsMessages, emails or audio recordingsCoworkers who can be witnesses

07

Have you gone to the Conciliation Center yet?

Skip this question if you answered: I still work there, but they want to fire me

Not yetYes, I filed the requestYes, and I have a certificate of non-conciliationI signed an agreement or settlement

08

How can we reach you?

A lawyer will review your answers.

Full name *

WhatsApp or phone *

Email *

State *Select…AguascalientesBaja CaliforniaBaja California SurCampecheChiapasChihuahuaMexico CityCoahuilaColimaDurangoState of MexicoGuanajuatoGuerreroHidalgoJaliscoMichoacánMorelosNayaritNuevo LeónOaxacaPueblaQuerétaroQuintana RooSan Luis PotosíSinaloaSonoraTabascoTamaulipasTlaxcalaVeracruzYucatánZacatecasOutside Mexico

Anything else we should know? (optional)

Castro Defense is responsible for the personal data you provide. We use it to handle and follow up on your request, and do not share it with third parties without your consent unless required by law. Your rights and the full notice: privacy notice.

I expressly consent to the processing of my financial or property data, such as my pay, to review my case.

I have read and accept the privacy notice.

Send my case

This content is for information only and is not legal advice for a specific case. The outcome of any proceeding depends on the facts, the evidence and the authority's decision; Castro Defense does not guarantee results.

How much can you recover if you were dismissed without cause?

If the employer cannot prove a justified cause, Mexico’s Federal Labor Law (Ley Federal del Trabajo, LFT) lets you claim:

• Reinstatement or severance of three months’ pay, at your choice (art. 48).
• Back pay (salarios vencidos) from the dismissal, for up to 12 months (art. 48).
• Seniority premium (prima de antigüedad) of 12 days’ pay per year of service (art. 162).
• Pro-rated Christmas bonus (aguinaldo), vacation and vacation premium (arts. 76, 80 and 87), and any other unpaid benefits.

Example: with pay of MXN 12,000 a month and three and a half years of service, three months’ severance would be MXN 36,000; the seniority premium, about MXN 16,800; and the pro-rated Christmas bonus, vacation and vacation premium, about MXN 8,500. In total, around MXN 61,300, plus back pay of up to MXN 144,000 if the employer cannot prove the cause.

The real amount depends on your integrated salary, what you have already been paid, the evidence and the authority’s decision, which is why the review asks for your details and a lawyer reviews your case. Learn more on our page about wrongful dismissal, severance and deadlines.

How long do you have to bring a claim?

Two months from the day after the dismissal (art. 518). The period is suspended when you file the conciliation request, which is mandatory before suing (arts. 518 and 684-B). If you were never handed the written dismissal notice in person, the period does not start until you receive it (art. 47).

How does the review work?

1. Answer the questions. About three minutes, on your phone or computer.
2. A lawyer reviews your case. You get an answer within 48 hours; sooner in urgent matters.
3. You decide. If you want to go ahead, you sign the contract online. The conciliation hearing is in person, and your lawyer can attend with you (art. 684-E).

See the other areas of our legal defense practice. All services follow Mexican law.

This content is for information only and is not legal advice for a specific case. The outcome of any proceeding depends on the facts, the evidence and the authority’s decision; Castro Defense does not guarantee results.

Official sources

• Federal Labor Law (Ley Federal del Trabajo), arts. 33, 47, 48, 51, 52, 76, 80, 87, 162, 516, 518, 521, 684-B, 684-E and 784. Chamber of Deputies (last amended in the DOF on May 14, 2026).
• Federal Conciliation and Labor Registration Center (CFCRL). Government of Mexico.

Frequently asked questions

How much am I owed for a wrongful dismissal in Mexico?

It depends on your pay and length of service. As a rule: severance of three months' pay (Federal Labor Law, art. 48), a seniority premium of 12 days' pay per year capped at twice the minimum wage (arts. 162 and 486), and pro-rated Christmas bonus, vacation and vacation premium (arts. 79, 80 and 87). On top of that, back pay for up to 12 months if the employer cannot prove the cause (art. 48). The review shows you an estimate with your own figures.

How long does the review take?

About three minutes. You answer seven questions about how your job ended, your pay and your length of service, and leave your contact details. A lawyer reviews your answers and, within 48 hours, tells you what you could claim and which deadline applies.

Why do you ask for my pay?

Because severance, back pay and the seniority premium are calculated from your pay and length of service (Federal Labor Law, arts. 48 and 162). An estimate is enough. Your financial data is processed with your express consent, under our privacy notice.

Do I have to pay to have my case reviewed?

No. We do not ask for upfront payments: we only get paid if we recover. Fees are a percentage of what is actually recovered, set by the complexity of the case, and you cover related costs such as expert reports. The exact terms are set in writing in the contract before we start.

What if more than two months have passed?

The period to bring a dismissal claim is two months from the day after the separation (Federal Labor Law, art. 518). But if you were never handed the written dismissal notice in person, the period does not start until you receive it (art. 47), and benefits such as unpaid wages or the Christmas bonus (aguinaldo) have a one-year period (art. 516). A lawyer should check your dates.

I have no pay slips. Can I still claim?

Yes. When the facts are disputed, the employer must prove, among other things, your start date, your length of service, the amount of your pay and the reason for the dismissal (Federal Labor Law, art. 784). Messages, transfer records and witnesses also help.