I have written the first sample lay off notification in a more conversational tone, which could be better for large lay offs or going out of firm. The basic definition of "employment at will" says the employer or the employee may end the working relationship at any time and for any reason without fearing lawsuit. If you miss another deadline in 30 days, no matter how small, I'll have no choice but to dismiss you immediately.". If you do the right thing for the firm - terminating the problem worker - then you know the employee will find someway to sue you or stir up trouble. Step 3 in How to fire Someone: Perform an Exit Interview. (Here's another more economical alternative for staying out of trouble when terminating and includes a quality sample layoff notice and other separation forms). Describe the Event that Led to the layoff. Workers want to know why you're terminating them and juries agree the employees have a right to know. Also state a deadline in the letter for the employee to achieve the desired behavior. and because their web pages are for the most part written by freelance journalists who've never separated anyone in their lives.

Keep the exit interview brief and avoid saying too much, as anything you say can be used against you later if the at will employee decides to file a law suit. If nothing else, it will keep your small company out of the headlines and where it should be headed, towards success. (And, often the jobholder will sign the release during the exit interview. If the company policy allows for a warning on first offense, be sure to place that written notice in the employee's file. In this case, you'll want to present the worker's resignation letter as evidence. Worker theft is like a forest sack.