Termination Without Severance In Massachusetts
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FAQ
“Although it seems almost impossible to believe, employers in Massachusetts, or in any other employee-at-will state, can fire any employee at any time for any reason — or even for no reason at all. An employer can terminate any employee, with or without notice.”
It makes no difference how long you've been with a company so yes, it's legal to lay off any and everyone without severance. The exceptions: a union agreement requiring severance, a personal contract calling for a severance. This is usually only for executives and ``key'' people.
Expiration of the terms of the contract: Contract terminates when its specified date or duration expires. Example: John's one-year lease, starting on January 1, 2024, expires on December 31, 2024. At that point, the contract terminates unless both parties agree to renew it.
Employers are not required to provide a termination letter, and frequently conduct the termination verbally instead of reducing it to writing. Even if you do receive a letter, most often it will not contain any meaningful details about the reasons for termination of employment.
What is the downside to severance? The downside to severance includes financial drawbacks such as loss of steady income, potential loss of benefits, and uncertainty about future job prospects, as well as the impact on retirement savings and benefits.
Employers must also provide information about applying for unemployment benefits and, if applicable, notice about continued healthcare coverage under COBRA. While employers are generally not obligated to offer severance agreements, they often do.
Severance Laws in Massachusetts It's essential to understand that, unless you have a pre-existing employment contract stipulating severance, employers are not legally obligated to provide it.
Severance packages are often negotiable, but it is rarely a good idea to do it yourself. You would be wise to consult an employment lawyer, so you can understand what claims, if any, you have and their potential value in order to develop a negotiation strategy.