Notice of Employment Termination: Meaning and Considerations

By
Will Kenton
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Will Kenton is an expert on the economy and investing laws and regulations. He previously held senior editorial roles at Investopedia and Kapitall Wire and holds a MA in Economics from The New School for Social Research and Doctor of Philosophy in English literature from NYU.
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Updated January 26, 2023
Reviewed by
Somer Anderson
Somer G. Anderson
Reviewed by Somer Anderson
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​Somer G. Anderson is CPA, doctor of accounting, and an accounting and finance professor who has been working in the accounting and finance industries for more than 20 years. Her expertise covers a wide range of accounting, corporate finance, taxes, lending, and personal finance areas.
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What Is a Notice of Termination?

A notice of termination is what an employer uses to notify an employee as to the end of their employment contract. More broadly, it may also refer to the formal notification of the end of a contract between two or more parties. While a notice of termination usually is provided to an employee for reasons unrelated to their job performance—for example, because business conditions necessitate layoffs or downsizing—it may also be given to an employee for poor job performance or misconduct.

In certain cases, however, employers are required to give workers advance notice of mass layoffs or a plant closure, especially if they are a member of a union.

Another term for notice of termination document is "pink slip" or "termination letter."

If your job is terminated but you are under a union contract, your employer is legally bound to give you a notice of termination; otherwise, there is no law that individual companies must provide their "at-will" workers with a notice of termination.

How a Notice of Termination Works

In the United States, employers are not required to give notice to a worker prior to their termination as per the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). All American workers are considered "at-will," which means that an employer can terminate employees for any reason, without establishing just cause, as long as the reason is not illegal (such as gender, religious or racial discrimination). The reasoning is that an employee also has the right to leave a job for any reason at any time.

Key Takeaways

  • Employers who hire “at-will” workers are not legally bound to give advance notice to an employee who is being fired.
  • Giving employees a termination notice helps a company maintain a positive image, especially if they provide the reasons for the termination.
  • There is a law on the books, the WARN Act, which requires employers (who have 100 workers or more) who are planning mass layoffs or have plans to close a factory or plant, to provide up to 60 days notice to its employees. 

In the U.S., the only notifications legally required to be included in a notice of termination are related to the Consolidated Omnibus Benefits Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN). A reason for termination need not be stated, though it tends to be a best practice if an employee has been fired for cause.

How a Notice of Termination Works in Other Countries

In some countries, an individual who has been employed for a certain period of time must be provided with a notice of termination. For example, in Canada workers who have been employed with a company continuously for three or more months must be given written notice of termination by their employer, along with termination pay or a combination of both.

How long a notice period depends on the length of service. A notice of termination is not due, however, to an employee who is guilty of disobedience, willful misconduct or neglect of duty.

Special Considerations

When a party to a contract wants to notify another party (or parties) of their intent to end their relationship, as well as disclose a date for contract expiration, they will send a notice of termination. Simply put, it is a formal declaration to another party that you plan to end a contract. It acts as a public record of such an action and can help resolve disputes should they arise later.

Such a notice will contain the terms that permit the termination of an agreement. A notice of termination (also called a "notice of cancellation of contract" or "contract termination letter") serves as a courtesy to other parties and can help preserve relationships.