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A termination letter notifies an employee that he or she has been fired, lists the next steps they need to take, and explains the benefits or compensation they are due to receive. Termination letters are also called a pink slip, letter of termination, contract termination letter, letter of separation, and notice of termination of employment.
[Date Letter is Drafted]
This letter is to inform you that your employment with [company name] will end as of [date termination is effective].
You have been terminated for the following reason(s):
[List factual reasons for termination].
This decision is not reversible.
You will receive: [List compensation they will receive, including pay for unused leave, severance pay, salary owed, etc.].
Your health care benefits will [explanation of what will happen with their benefits].
You are requested to return [list all company property to be returned].
Also, please keep in mind that you have signed [list any agreements employee has signed, such as a confidentiality policy or a nonsolicitation agreement].
If you have questions about policies you have signed, your compensation, benefits, or returning company property, please contact [contact name, typically someone from HR, with contact info].
[Name of person handling termination]
Download this free employee termination letter in Microsoft Word format.
The following termination letter samples are examples only. Talk to your legal counsel before sending a sample termination letter so they can modify it to correctly fit your situation, especially if you plan on using a sample termination letter for cause.
This employment termination letter is to inform you that your employment with The Internet Company will end as of October 29, 2017. This decision cannot be changed.
You will receive your final paycheck for this month and payment for your remaining leave today. Once you have signed and returned the attached release of claims document, you will receive a $25,000 severance payment.
Your health care benefits will remain in effect for another 90 days.
You are requested to return the company laptop, swipe card, and cell phone before the end of the day.
Also, keep in mind that you have signed a confidentiality agreement. Please review the attached copy.
If you have questions about compensation, benefits, company property, or policies you have signed, please contact John Doe at 1 (800) 555-0600.
This letter of termination of employment is to inform you that your employment with Pied Piper, Inc. will end as of October 29, 2020. This decision is final and will not be modified.
You have been terminated for the following reasons:
Recent economic conditions have caused a significant downturn in sales, necessitating a 20 percent workforce reduction at Pied Piper. Unfortunately, your position is part of this reduction and has been eliminated.
You will receive your final paycheck after your last day, as well as payment for your remaining leave. You will also receive a $15,000 severance payment provided the attached release of claims document is signed and returned.
Your health care benefits will remain in effect for 180 days after your termination takes effect.
You are requested to return the company vehicle, key card, and cell phone on your last day of employment.
Also, please keep in mind that you have signed a number of agreements that prohibit you from divulging confidential information. Please review the attached copies.
If you have questions about this letter, please contact John Smith at 1 (800) 555-0600.
This separation letter is to inform you that your employment with Acme Internet Inc. will end as of October 29, 2018. This decision is not reversible.
We decided to terminate your employment for these reasons:
On September 29, 2018, you were absent from work without leave. At that time, you were given a formal written warning that your absence violated company policy.
On October 18, 2018, you were again absent from work, without leave. At that time you were given a second warning and informed that a third case within a year would result in your termination.
On October 28, 2018, you were absent from work without leave a third time, resulting in your termination.
Included with this letter of employment termination is your final paycheck.
Your health care benefits will remain in effect for 60 days.
You are requested to return any company property, such as laptops, keys, and books, before the end of the day.
Also, please keep in mind that you have signed a non-solicitation agreement. Please review the attached copy.
If you have questions about compensation, benefits, company property, or policies you have signed, please contact Jane Doe at 1 (800) 555-0600.
This letter is to inform you that your employment with Internet Industries Corp. will end as of October 29, 2021. This decision is not reversible.
Your employment was terminated for these performance reasons:
On July 1, 2021, you received performance coaching and were informed that your performance would be required to improve if your employment with Internet Industries Corp. were to continue. On August 25, 2021, you received a second warning and were informed that failure to improve performance within 60 days would result in your termination.
You have failed to meet the performance targets agreed upon. As a result, your employment has been terminated.
You will receive your final check for this month in the mail in 7 days. Once we have received a signed copy of the attached release of claims document, you will receive a $5,000 severance payment.
Your health care benefits will remain in effect for 35 days.
You are requested to return all company property, including your car, cell phone, and ID badge, before the end of the day.
If you have questions about compensation, benefits, company property, or policies you have signed, please contact Jane Doe at 1 (800) 555-1212.
Need more guidance? Check out our article on firing an employee. Have an employee who has stopped showing up for work? Check out our guide to job abandonment, which includes a letter template for this situation.
Also, if you need to replace someone quickly, check out our guide to finding employees, or post a job on free job posting sites. You may also want to check out our guide to attrition and our guide to employee turnover.
