I think this has more to do with European employment regulations then what is 'fair', and your company doesn't have much choice in the matter. Think of it from

I think this has more to do with European employment regulations then what is 'fair', and your company doesn't have much choice in the matter. Think of it from another perspective, if someone isn't culpable of flagrant misconduct then whatever issue management have with them could be for a number of reasons including sexual or racial bias, I think forcing the company to enact due process is needed to help eliminate some of the ugly politics in firing someone.