NOTICE OF EMPLOYMENT TERMINATION

(Wisconsin)

[// GUIDANCE: This template is drafted for use by Wisconsin employers terminating an at-will employee. It incorporates Wisconsin-specific final-pay rules, COBRA continuation-coverage notice obligations, and unemployment-insurance eligibility information. Bracketed items must be customized before use.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Document Header
2. Definitions
3. Operative Provisions
   3.1 Notice of Termination
   3.2 Final Compensation
   3.3 Benefits & COBRA Continuation Rights
   3.4 Employer Property & Confidential Information
   3.5 Unemployment Insurance Information
4. Acknowledgements & Representations
5. Governing Law
6. General Provisions
7. Execution Block

1. DOCUMENT HEADER

Re: Notice of Employment Termination and Post-Separation Information

Date: [DATE OF LETTER]

To: [EMPLOYEE NAME]
[EMPLOYEE ADDRESS]

From: [EMPLOYER LEGAL NAME], a [STATE] [ENTITY TYPE]
[EMPLOYER ADDRESS]

Effective Termination Date: [DATE TERMINATION IS EFFECTIVE] (“Termination Date”)

2. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Notice:

“Company” means [EMPLOYER LEGAL NAME].
“Employee” means [EMPLOYEE NAME].
“Final Pay Date” means [FINAL PAYROLL DATE].
“Plan Administrator” means [BENEFIT PLAN ADMINISTRATOR OR HR CONTACT].

3. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

3.1 Notice of Termination

The Company hereby terminates Employee’s employment, effective as of the Termination Date, in accordance with the parties’ at-will employment relationship. No further services are authorized or expected after that date.

3.2 Final Compensation

(a) Regular Wages. In accordance with Wis. Stat. § 109.03(1), all wages earned through the Termination Date will be paid on or before the next regularly scheduled payroll date, which is the Final Pay Date.
(b) Accrued, Unused Paid Time Off (“PTO”). [DESCRIBE COMPANY POLICY—e.g., “Per the Company’s PTO policy, accrued and unused PTO will / will not be paid out.”]
(c) Deductions. Applicable federal, state, and local withholdings and any authorized deductions will be taken from the final paycheck.

[// GUIDANCE: Wisconsin does not mandate payout of unused vacation unless required by company policy or contract. Insert appropriate language.]

3.3 Benefits & COBRA Continuation Rights

(a) Group Health Benefits. Coverage under the Company’s group health plan will cease at 11:59 p.m. on the Termination Date, subject to any grace period provided by the plan.
(b) Continuation Coverage. Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, 29 U.S.C. §§ 1161–1169 (“COBRA”), and applicable Wisconsin “mini-COBRA” laws, you and any qualified beneficiaries have the right to elect continued health-care coverage at your own expense. The Plan Administrator will provide a separate COBRA Election Notice and required election forms within the statutory timeframe.
(c) Other Benefits. All other benefits (e.g., life, disability, retirement) will terminate or convert in accordance with the governing plan documents.

3.4 Employer Property & Confidential Information

(a) Return of Property. No later than the Termination Date (or such later date as the Company may authorize in writing), Employee shall return to the Company all Company property, including but not limited to keys, identification badges, credit cards, computers, mobile devices, documents, and all electronically stored information.
(b) Confidentiality. Employee acknowledges continuing obligations under any previously signed confidentiality, non-compete, or non-solicitation agreements, all of which survive termination of employment.

3.5 Unemployment Insurance Information

You may be eligible to apply for unemployment insurance benefits through the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. Enclosed is the statutorily required unemployment-insurance notice containing instructions on filing a claim. Eligibility determinations are made by the state, not the Company.

4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & REPRESENTATIONS

4.1 No Outstanding Claims. Employee represents that, to Employee’s knowledge, Employee has reported all hours worked and has no unreported workplace injuries.

4.2 At-Will Clarification. Nothing in this Notice alters the at-will nature of the prior employment relationship or creates a contract for continued or future employment.

4.3 Entire Understanding. This Notice sets forth the Company’s understanding of matters addressed herein and does not waive any rights the Company may have under law or prior agreements.

5. GOVERNING LAW

This Notice shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles.

6. GENERAL PROVISIONS

6.1 Severability. If any provision of this Notice is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

6.2 Amendment. This Notice may not be amended except by a written instrument executed by the Company.

6.3 No Waiver. Failure of the Company to enforce any provision shall not constitute a waiver of that or any other provision.

7. EXECUTION BLOCK

Please acknowledge receipt of this Notice by signing below and returning a copy to Human Resources by [DEADLINE, e.g., “within three (3) business days”].

[// GUIDANCE:
1. Attachments typically include:
• Final Payroll Statement
• COBRA Election Notice & Rate Sheet
• Unemployment-Insurance Notice
• Copy of any applicable restrictive-covenant agreements
2. Retain a signed copy in the personnel file.
3. Consider offering a separation agreement with release of claims if appropriate; that document would be separate from this mandatory notice.]