[COMPANY LETTERHEAD]

Employee Termination Letter

(Louisiana – At-Will Employment)

Effective Date: [EFFECTIVE DATE]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Document Header
2. Definitions
3. Operative Provisions
    3.1 Termination of Employment
    3.2 Final Pay & Accrued Benefits
    3.3 Continuation of Health Coverage (COBRA)
    3.4 Return of Company Property
    3.5 Confidentiality & Restrictive Covenants
    3.6 Unemployment Compensation Information
4. Governing Law & Venue
5. General Provisions
6. Acknowledgment of Receipt
7. Execution Block

1. DOCUMENT HEADER

This Employee Termination Letter (the “Letter”) is issued by [COMPANY LEGAL NAME], a [STATE OF FORMATION] [ENTITY TYPE] (“Company”), to [EMPLOYEE LEGAL NAME] (“Employee,” and together with Company, the “Parties”).

Recitals
A. Employee has been employed by Company in the position of [POSITION TITLE] since [HIRE DATE].
B. Company elects to terminate Employee’s employment on an at-will basis, effective as of the Termination Date defined below.

2. DEFINITIONS

“COBRA” means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, 29 U.S.C. §§ 1161–1168.
“Final Pay Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.
“Termination Date” means [TERMINATION DATE], the final day of Employee’s active employment with Company.

[// GUIDANCE: Add any additional defined terms that will be used more than once.]

3. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

3.1 Termination of Employment

1. Nature of Termination. Employment is terminated [for cause / without cause / due to reduction in force] on the Termination Date.
2. At-Will Statement. Nothing herein alters Louisiana’s presumption of at-will employment or creates a contract for continued employment.

3.2 Final Pay & Accrued Benefits

1. Final Wages. In compliance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 23:631(A)(1)(a), Company will tender Employee’s final wages, including all accrued and unused vacation that is not forfeited under a written policy, no later than the earlier of (a) the next regular payday following the Termination Date or (b) fifteen (15) calendar days after the Termination Date (the “Final Pay Date”).
2. Delivery Method. Final wages will be delivered via [direct deposit / physical check mailed to Employee’s address of record / hand delivery].
3. Deductions. Lawful deductions (e.g., taxes, benefit premiums, authorized wage assignments) will be withheld.

[// GUIDANCE: Attach any required final wage statement or itemized accounting as an exhibit.]

3.3 Continuation of Health Coverage (COBRA)

1. COBRA Election Notice. Under COBRA, Employee and any covered dependents may elect to continue group health plan coverage at their own expense for up to eighteen (18) months, subject to statutory conditions.
2. Separate Mailing. A COBRA Election Notice with premium information will be sent by [Plan Administrator / Third-Party Administrator] to Employee’s last known address within the statutory time frame.
3. Grace Periods & Payment Instructions. The COBRA Election Notice will specify applicable grace periods for premium payments and the consequences of non-payment.

3.4 Return of Company Property

On or before the Termination Date, Employee must return all Company property, including but not limited to:
• Keys, badges, and access cards
• Company credit cards and purchasing cards
• Computers, mobile devices, and peripherals
• Confidential documents (paper and electronic)
• Intellectual-property-bearing materials
[// GUIDANCE: Insert additional items as needed.]

3.5 Confidentiality & Restrictive Covenants

1. Continuing Obligations. Any confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation, invention assignment, or similar agreement previously executed by Employee (collectively, “Restrictive Covenants”) remains in full force according to its terms.
2. Trade Secrets Protection. Employee is reminded of the Louisiana Uniform Trade Secrets Act and the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act, which provide civil and criminal penalties for misappropriation.
3. Exit Interview. Employee shall cooperate in an exit interview to confirm adherence to Restrictive Covenants.

3.6 Unemployment Compensation Information

1. Separation Notice. Pursuant to La. Employment Sec. Law and Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) regulations, Company will provide Employee with Form LWC-77 (Notice of Separation or Earnings) on or before the Termination Date.
2. Eligibility. Determinations regarding unemployment insurance benefits are made exclusively by the LWC. Company will not contest Employee’s claim [unless misconduct is asserted / as applicable].
3. Contact Information. Employee may file a claim online at www.laworks.net or by calling [local LWC number].

4. GOVERNING LAW & VENUE

This Letter and any dispute arising hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Louisiana, exclusive of conflict-of-laws rules. The Parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state courts located in [PARISH], Louisiana.

5. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Entire Agreement. This Letter constitutes the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior oral or written statements regarding termination logistics.
2. Severability. If any provision of this Letter is held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall remain fully effective and shall be reformed to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable while preserving the Parties’ intent.
3. Amendments. No amendment to this Letter shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both Parties.
4. Counterparts & Electronic Signatures. This Letter may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. Signatures transmitted via PDF, DocuSign, or similar electronic means shall be deemed original and enforceable.

6. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT

By signing below, Employee acknowledges receipt of this Letter on the date indicated and affirms understanding of its contents.

7. EXECUTION BLOCK

Company:

[NAME]
[Title]
[COMPANY LEGAL NAME]
Date: _____

Employee:

[EMPLOYEE LEGAL NAME]
Date: _____

[// GUIDANCE: Consider including a witness or notary block if Company policy or local practice requires.]

Please retain a copy of this executed Letter for your records.