NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
[EMPLOYER LEGAL NAME]
[EMPLOYER STREET ADDRESS]
[EMPLOYER CITY, STATE ZIP]
[PHONE] | [EMAIL]
Date: [DATE]
Via: [☐ Hand Delivery] [☐ Certified Mail – Return Receipt Requested] [☐ Email]
To:
[EMPLOYEE LEGAL NAME]
[EMPLOYEE STREET ADDRESS]
[EMPLOYEE CITY, STATE ZIP]
TABLE OF CONTENTS [// GUIDANCE: Include for easy navigation in longer letters; delete if unnecessary]
- Recitals & Effective Date
- Termination of Employment
- Final Pay & Accrued Benefits
- Continuation of Health Coverage (COBRA)
- Return of Company Property & Confidential Information
- Post-Employment Obligations
- Unemployment Insurance Notice
- Governing Law
- Acknowledgment & Signature
1. RECITALS & EFFECTIVE DATE
This letter (the “Notice”) confirms the termination of the at-will employment relationship between [EMPLOYER LEGAL NAME] (the “Company”) and [EMPLOYEE LEGAL NAME] (the “Employee”), effective as of [TERMINATION DATE] (the “Termination Date”).
2. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
2.1 Nature of Separation. Your employment with the Company is terminated effective as of the Termination Date for the following reason: [INSERT “Reduction in Force,” “Unsatisfactory Performance,” “Violation of Company Policy,” etc.].
2.2 At-Will Status. Nothing in this Notice alters the at-will nature of your prior employment, and no future rights to employment are created.
3. FINAL PAY & ACCRUED BENEFITS
3.1 Final Paycheck. Pursuant to Mo. Rev. Stat. § 290.110, all wages earned through the Termination Date, together with any accrued but unused vacation or paid time off that is payable under Company policy, will be paid on [NEXT REGULAR PAYDAY], but in any event no later than the next regularly scheduled payday following the Termination Date.
3.2 Deductions. Applicable federal, state, and local taxes and any authorized deductions will be withheld.
3.3 Outstanding Expenses. If you have outstanding, properly documented business expenses, submit them within [X] calendar days for reimbursement.
4. CONTINUATION OF HEALTH COVERAGE (COBRA)
4.1 COBRA Notice. Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 1161-1168, you and your covered dependents may be eligible to continue group health benefits at your own expense. A separate “COBRA Election Notice” will be sent to your last known address within the statutory time-frame.
4.2 Payment of Premiums. If you timely elect COBRA, you will be responsible for the full premium plus the permitted administrative fee, retroactive to the day after your current coverage ends.
[// GUIDANCE: Replace with “mini-COBRA” language if Company has fewer than 20 employees and is subject to Mo. Rev. Stat. § 376.428.]
5. RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY & CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
5.1 Property. No later than 5:00 p.m. on the Termination Date, return all Company property, including but not limited to keys, access cards, identification badges, computers, mobile devices, credit cards, documents, and any electronically stored information.
5.2 Confidential Information. You remain bound by all confidentiality, non-disclosure, invention-assignment, and similar obligations contained in [IDENTIFY AGREEMENT(S)], which survive termination.
6. POST-EMPLOYMENT OBLIGATIONS
6.1 Restrictive Covenants. Any post-employment covenants (e.g., non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality) contained in prior agreements remain in full force and effect.
6.2 Non-Disparagement. You agree not to make statements that could reasonably be construed as disparaging the Company, its affiliates, or their respective directors, officers, or employees.
6.3 Cooperation. Upon reasonable request, you will cooperate with the Company in the orderly transition of duties and in any investigations, proceedings, or litigation relating to events that occurred during your employment.
7. UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE NOTICE
You may be eligible for unemployment benefits administered by the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Division of Employment Security. Eligibility is determined by that agency, not the Company. To file a claim, visit https://uinteract.labor.mo.gov or call (800) 320-2519.
8. GOVERNING LAW
This Notice is governed by the laws of the State of Missouri, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules. Any dispute arising out of or related to this Notice shall be resolved exclusively in the state courts located in [COUNTY], Missouri.
9. ACKNOWLEDGMENT & SIGNATURE
Please acknowledge receipt of this Notice by signing below and returning a copy to Human Resources no later than [DATE]. Your signature acknowledges receipt only and does not signify agreement with the stated reason for termination.
[EMPLOYER LEGAL NAME]
By: _____
Name: [NAME]
Title: [TITLE]
Date: _______
ACKNOWLEDGED: [EMPLOYEE LEGAL NAME]
Signature: _____
Date: _______
ATTACHMENTS [// GUIDANCE: Attach all that apply]
• Attachment A – COBRA Election Notice
• Attachment B – Unemployment Insurance Information Sheet
• Attachment C – Expense Reimbursement Form
[// GUIDANCE:
1. Replace bracketed placeholders before issuance.
2. If severance is offered, add a section detailing consideration and include an OWBPA-compliant release for employees aged 40+.
3. For group terminations, comply with WARN Act notice requirements (29 U.S.C. § 2101 et seq.) and any Missouri mini-WARN obligations.
4. Retain a copy of the signed letter and proof of delivery in the personnel file for a minimum of five years.
]