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Dismissal and severance pay (verbas rescisórias)
Riachuelo

Were you dismissed from Riachuelo, or about to be? See the steps to check your severance pay (verbas rescisórias), the payment deadline and your rights as a worker.

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What to do, step by step

  1. Keep the termination document, the notice of dismissal, payslips (holerites), the FGTS (Severance Indemnity Fund) statement and any communication received from Riachuelo.

  2. Check that the termination document includes the salary balance, notice period (proportional to length of service), accrued and proportional vacation pay plus 1/3, proportional 13th salary and FGTS.

  3. Severance amounts must be paid within 10 days after the end of the contract (art. 477 of the CLT (Brazilian Labor Code)); in dismissal without cause, the 40% penalty on the FGTS balance is also due.

  4. If something is wrong, ask Riachuelo in writing to correct it and contact your trade union or the MTE (Ministry of Labor and Employment, Disque 158).

  5. Mind the deadline: a labor claim must be filed within 2 years after the contract ends and, as a rule, covers the last 5 years of work (art. 7, XXIX, of the Constitution).

Official channels for workers

Labor inspection
MTE · 158
Public Labor Prosecutor’s Office
MPT: guidance and complaints
Labor Courts
Superior Labor Court (TST)

Frequently asked questions

What is the deadline to receive severance pay?

Up to 10 days after the end of the contract (art. 477, §6, of the CLT). Late payment may give rise to a penalty in favor of the worker (art. 477, §8). Each case must be analysed individually.

Am I entitled to unemployment insurance?

As a rule, a worker dismissed without cause who meets the length-of-work requirements can apply for the benefit between 7 and 120 days after dismissal. Check the current rules on gov.br or by calling Disque 158.

Do I need a lawyer to claim severance pay?

It is not always mandatory, but a professional review helps check calculations and deadlines. Each situation is unique and there is no guarantee of result.

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