EMPLOYEE TERMINATION NOTICE

[// GUIDANCE: Use Company letterhead for hard-copy delivery.]

I. DOCUMENT HEADER

1. Date of Notice: [DATE]

2. To:
   [EMPLOYEE NAME]
   [EMPLOYEE ADDRESS]

3. From:
   [COMPANY LEGAL NAME], a [STATE OF INCORP.] corporation
   (“Company”)

4. Re: Termination of Employment – Effective [TERMINATION DATE] (“Termination Date”)

5. Governing Law / Venue: State of Minnesota; exclusive venue in the state courts sitting in [COUNTY], Minnesota.

6. Recitals
   WHEREAS, Employee has been employed by the Company pursuant to that certain employment-at-will relationship that commenced on [HIRE DATE]; and
   WHEREAS, the Company has elected to terminate Employee’s employment effective as of the Termination Date;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Company hereby issues this Employee Termination Notice (the “Notice”) in accordance with applicable law, including Minnesota Statutes §§ 181.13–.14 and all federal and state continuation-of-coverage requirements.

II. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Notice, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:

1. “COBRA Notice” – the written notice of continuation-of-coverage rights required under (i) the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, 29 U.S.C. §§ 1161–1168, and (ii) Minn. Stat. § 62A.17 (Mini-COBRA), as applicable.
2. “Company Property” – all tangible and intangible property of the Company in Employee’s possession or control, including keys, access cards, equipment, documents, electronic files, and Confidential Information.
3. “Confidential Information” – all non-public information concerning the Company’s business, customers, or employees learned by Employee during employment.
4. “Final Wages” – all wages, salary, accrued and unused paid time off (“PTO”), and earned commissions (if any) due and owing to Employee through the Termination Date.
5. “Termination Date” – the close of business on [TERMINATION DATE], after which Employee shall no longer perform services for, or receive compensation from, the Company except as expressly provided herein.

III. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

3.1 Termination of Employment

Employee’s employment with the Company is terminated effective as of the Termination Date. Employment thereafter is at an end and Employee is relieved of all duties except as expressly set forth in this Notice.

3.2 Final Pay; Timing

a. In compliance with Minn. Stat. § 181.13, the Company shall make available Employee’s Final Wages within 24 hours after Employee’s written demand (or earlier if Company so elects).
b. Delivery Method: [DIRECT DEPOSIT / CHECK / OTHER].
c. Deductions: All lawful deductions (e.g., taxes, benefit premiums, authorized offsets) will be withheld.

[// GUIDANCE: If commissions or bonus are contingent, add language addressing measurement period and payment deadline.]

3.3 Accrued Benefits

a. Accrued but unused PTO will be paid out with Final Wages in accordance with Company policy.
b. 401(k) and other qualified plan balances remain subject to plan terms; Employee will receive separate rollover/withdrawal instructions from the plan administrator.

3.4 Continuation of Health Coverage (COBRA/Mini-COBRA)

A separate COBRA Notice describing Employee’s right to elect continuation of group health coverage will be mailed under separate cover. The election deadline and premium payment instructions will be stated therein.

3.5 Unemployment Insurance

Depending on the circumstances of separation, Employee may be eligible to apply for unemployment insurance benefits through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (“DEED”). Eligibility determinations are made exclusively by DEED, not the Company. Employee may file a claim online at https://www.uimn.org or call (651) 296-3644.

3.6 Return of Company Property

On or before the Termination Date (or such later date as the Company may permit), Employee shall return all Company Property to [RETURN LOCATION / PERSON]. No Final Wages will be conditioned on return of property; however, failure to return may give rise to civil remedies.

3.7 Confidentiality and Restrictive Covenants

Employee acknowledges and reaffirms any existing confidentiality, invention-assignment, non-solicitation, or other restrictive covenant obligations previously agreed to. Such obligations survive termination.

3.8 References and Employment Verification

The Company’s policy is to confirm only dates of employment and last position held, unless otherwise required by law or with Employee’s written authorization.

IV. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES

1. Company Representation. The Company represents that it will pay Final Wages and provide required notices in compliance with applicable law.
2. Employee Representation. Employee represents that all Company Property in Employee’s possession will be returned on or before the Termination Date and that Employee has not retained copies of Confidential Information in any form.

V. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS

1. Non-Disparagement. Employee shall not make statements, written or oral, intended to disparage the Company or its officers, directors, employees, or services.
2. Cooperation. Employee agrees to cooperate with the Company in connection with any pending or future litigation or administrative matters relating to periods during Employee’s employment, subject to reasonable notice and scheduling.

VI. DEFAULT & REMEDIES

1. Events of Default. Any breach of Sections 3.6, 3.7, or V constitutes a default.
2. Cure Period. The Company shall provide written notice of default, and Employee shall have five (5) business days to cure, if curable.
3. Remedies. If uncured, the Company may pursue (i) injunctive relief, (ii) damages, and (iii) recovery of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in enforcement.

VII. RISK ALLOCATION

[// GUIDANCE: Indemnification and liability caps are marked “not applicable” in metadata; therefore this section is intentionally limited.]

1. No Additional Indemnities. Nothing in this Notice creates any indemnification obligation by either party beyond those required by law.
2. Force Majeure. Neither party will be liable for failure to perform obligations hereunder when such failure results from causes beyond the party’s reasonable control.

VIII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

1. Governing Law. This Notice shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota, without regard to conflicts-of-law principles.
2. Forum Selection. The parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state courts located in [COUNTY], Minnesota.
3. Arbitration / Jury Waiver. Not applicable.

IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Entire Agreement. This Notice constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior statements or agreements regarding Employee’s separation of employment, except for any surviving restrictive covenants referenced in Section 3.7.
2. Amendment; Waiver. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Notice shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.
3. Severability. If any provision of this Notice is held unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect, and the unenforceable provision shall be reformed to the minimum extent necessary to render it enforceable.
4. Assignment. Employee may not assign any rights or delegate any duties under this Notice. The Company may assign its rights and obligations to a successor or affiliate.
5. Electronic Signatures. Signatures transmitted electronically or by facsimile shall be deemed original.

X. EXECUTION BLOCK

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Employee Termination Notice as of the Date of Notice first written above.

[// GUIDANCE: Notarization is not required for a standard termination notice under Minnesota law; omit if unnecessary.]

This Notice is not intended to create a contract of employment for any period after the Termination Date and shall not be construed as altering Employee’s at-will status prior to termination.