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Employment Termination Letter
Free employer-issued termination letter template confirming the end of an employee's employment.
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This free employment termination letter covers Reason, Final Pay and Benefits, Company Property, Next Steps with 9 clearly marked [placeholder] fields to fill in — built for small business owners and first-time managers handling an HR moment professionally without a dedicated HR department to lean on. Copy it into your own word processor, fill in the placeholders, and review it — or adapt it — before use. It's part of docstoc's free document template library, alongside business, legal, real estate, finance, and HR templates. Every template here is free to copy with no signup required, and each one carries a plain disclaimer: this is a starting point for informational purposes, not a substitute for advice from a licensed professional in your jurisdiction.
Employment Termination Letter
[Date]
Dear [Employee Name],
This letter confirms that your employment with [Company Name] as [Job Title] ends effective [Date].
Reason
[State the reason factually and neutrally — e.g. "position elimination due to restructuring" or "performance issues discussed in prior conversations dated ___" — keep this accurate and consistent with any prior documentation.]
Final Pay and Benefits
Your final paycheck, including [accrued PTO/other owed amounts], will be issued [Date/method], per [State] law. [If applicable: "Information about COBRA continuation coverage is enclosed."]
Company Property
Please return [laptop, badge, keys, other company property] by [Date].
Next Steps
[Any additional information — reference policy, unemployment claim information, final expense reimbursement deadline.]
We wish you well in your future endeavors.
Sincerely, [Name, Title] [Company Name]
*This document is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Final-paycheck timing rules and required notices (COBRA, state-specific separation notices) vary by state — confirm your state's requirements, and have HR/legal review before terminating anyone in a legally sensitive situation.*
Edit directly in the box above. Download PDF anytime — the docstoc.io footer is always included and cannot be removed.
What's included
- Edit online — click the document, fill in placeholders, download a PDF
- 4 standard sections: Reason, Final Pay and Benefits, Company Property, Next Steps
- 9 clearly marked [placeholder] fields for quick personalizing
- Free to use — no account or signup required
- Fully editable — adjust any clause to match your actual situation
- Fixed docstoc.io footer on every PDF (not removable)
Who this template is for
Freelancers & solo founders
Handling routine business paperwork without commissioning custom legal drafting for every document.
Small businesses
Standardizing recurring documents — leases, agreements, notices — across a growing operation.
Anyone reviewing before signing
Using a clear starting structure to understand what a document should cover, even if a lawyer finalizes it.
Growing teams
Formalizing hiring and performance processes as a company adds its first employees.
FAQ
Is this employment termination letter template really free?
Yes. Like every template in docstoc's library, this employment termination letter is free to use, with no account or signup needed to view, edit, or download it.
What does this employment termination letter cover?
This hr template includes Reason, Final Pay and Benefits, Company Property, Next Steps. Fill in the [bracketed] placeholders, edit any clause online, then download a PDF — the docstoc.io footer stays on every export.
Is this legal advice?
No. This follows common HR practice, but requirements around notice, classification, and required disclosures shift by state and change over time. Get an employment attorney or HR professional to confirm compliance for your specific situation before relying on it.
Can I edit the wording?
Yes. All 9 placeholder fields and every clause are editable right on the page — change what doesn't fit, then download an updated PDF anytime.
Where can I find more free templates like this?
Browse more free hr and related document templates in the docstoc library at /document-templates/.
More free document templates
- Employee Offer Letter
- Employee Written Warning / Disciplinary Notice
- Employment Agreement
- Cover Letter
- Employee Handbook Outline
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Why use this instead of a generic template
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Legality
Templates are drafted for general use, not a substitute for legal advice — check the note on each page for specifics.
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Speed
Copy the subject and body directly — no form to fill in, no export step, no waiting on a download link.
Mobile-friendly
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