[COMPANY LETTERHEAD]
[Date]
Via [ ☐ Personal Delivery | ☐ Certified Mail – Return Receipt Requested | ☐ Electronic Delivery (with employee consent) ]
[Employee Name]
[Employee Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Re: Notice of Termination of Employment – State of New Jersey
1. Effective Date of Termination
Your employment with [Company Name] (the “Company”) is hereby terminated effective [Effective Termination Date] (“Termination Date”). Pursuant to the New Jersey Employment-At-Will doctrine, this decision is final and not subject to appeal within the Company.
[// GUIDANCE: Insert brief, factual reason for separation (e.g., position elimination, misconduct). Avoid subjective language to reduce defamation risk.]
2. Final Compensation
2.1 Wages. All earned, unpaid wages through the Termination Date will be paid no later than the next regularly scheduled payday in compliance with N.J. Stat. Ann. § 34:11-4.3.
2.2 Accrued Paid Time Off. You will receive payment for any accrued, unused [vacation/paid time off] as required by the Company’s written policy.
2.3 Deductions. Standard withholdings and any authorized deductions will be applied.
[// GUIDANCE: If employer policy requires earlier payout, revise Section 2.1 accordingly.]
3. Continuation of Health Coverage (COBRA)
Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 1161 et seq., you and any covered dependents are entitled, at your own expense, to continue participation in the Company’s group health plan for up to 18 months (or longer under certain circumstances). A separate COBRA Election Notice containing premium amounts, payment deadlines, and enrollment instructions will be sent to your last known address within 14 days of the plan administrator’s notification of your termination.
4. Unemployment Insurance
You may be eligible to apply for unemployment insurance benefits through the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development (“NJDOL”). Eligibility determinations are made exclusively by the NJDOL, not the Company. To file a claim, visit myunemployment.nj.gov or call (201) 601-4100. The Company will respond truthfully to all NJDOL information requests.
5. Return of Company Property
No later than the Termination Date—or earlier upon the Company’s request—you must return all Company property, including but not limited to:
(a) keys, access cards, fobs;
(b) laptops, mobile devices, storage media;
(c) documents (hard-copy and electronic); and
(d) all confidential or proprietary information.
Failure to return Company property may result in lawful set-off or civil action.
6. Ongoing Obligations
6.1 Confidentiality. Your obligations under any existing confidentiality, non-disclosure, invention assignment, or restrictive covenant agreements remain in full force and effect.
6.2 Non-Disparagement. You agree not to make any false, misleading, or disparaging statements about the Company, its affiliates, or personnel.
6.3 Cooperation. Upon reasonable request, you agree to cooperate with the Company in transition matters and any pending or future legal proceedings relating to events that occurred during your employment.
7. References & Employment Verification
All reference inquiries will be directed to [HR Contact Name/Title] at [HR Phone] or [HR Email]. Consistent with Company policy, only your dates of employment and last position held will be disclosed unless you authorize additional information in writing.
8. No Waiver of Rights
Nothing in this letter is intended to waive any rights you may have under applicable law or to prevent you from (a) filing a charge or complaint with a governmental agency, or (b) participating in any investigation or proceeding conducted by such agency.
9. Governing Law
This notice shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles. Any dispute arising out of or relating to this notice shall be brought exclusively in the state courts of competent jurisdiction located in [County], New Jersey.
10. Acknowledgment of Receipt
Please sign and date below to acknowledge receipt of this Termination Notice. Your signature does not signify agreement with its contents, only that you have received and reviewed it.
Acknowledged and Agreed:
Employee: _____ Date: ______
[Employee Name]
For the Company: _____ Date: ______
[Authorized Signatory Name & Title]
[// GUIDANCE: Maintain a fully executed copy in the personnel file for at least six years to comply with potential NJ wage-and-hour recordkeeping requirements.]
END OF DOCUMENT