Pennsylvania, (like nearly every other state) is an ``at-will'' employment state. That means, unless you have an employment contract that says otherwise, you can be terminated at any time, for any reason (or even no reason at all), and without notice.
Pennsylvania does not have a state law requiring employers to provide advance notice of termination. However, employers may be subject to the federal WARN Act, which requires some employers to provide advance notice of mass layoffs or plant closings.
Firing at-will employees in Pennsylvania is subject to a two-prong notice requirement. All separated employees in Pennsylvania—whether they were terminated or resigned—must be notified of the availability of unemployment compensation. Employers must provide a completed Form UC-1609 – Employer Information.
Is a Letter of Termination Required? For the most part, the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA) doesn't require organizations to provide letters of termination. The exceptions are when employees are part of a union, a collective bargaining agreement, or certain mass layoffs or corporate closures.
(a) No resignation shall be made or shall be valid unless it bears the signature of the person resigning and the date of the resignation in his handwriting; except that absence from duty for 5 consecutive working days without notice to the Executive Director may be regarded as an abandonment of a position and in effect ...
What is At-Will Employment in Pennsylvania? At-will employment allows both employers and employees to end their working relationship at any time, for any reason, or for no reason at all. This means an employee can quit without giving notice, and an employer can terminate employment without providing a reason.
A letter of termination is a formal notice to inform an employee they will be dismissed from their current employment. A clear letter of termination can help the departing employee follow internal HR policies, protecting the organization and helping ensure a smooth transition.
Termination policies must also include core information such as who the policy covers, how warnings happen, and what the process for each termination is. The policy should also include who is responsible for managing the employee termination, documenting it, and to what extent HR should be involved initially.
This could include a written notice from the employer to the employee, a signed separation agreement, payroll records showing no further payments were made after a certain date, and other documents that prove there was an official ending to the employment relationship.
Pennsylvania does not have a state law requiring employers to provide advance notice of termination. However, employers may be subject to the federal WARN Act, which requires some employers to provide advance notice of mass layoffs or plant closings.