Colorado Employment Law Termination

If an employer makes a lump sum severance payment at the time the worker is separated from a job but allocates the severance payment to a week or weeks other than the week in which the payment is made, then the worker's weekly unemployment benefits will be reduced in each claimed week to which the severance payment is ...

Get right to the point. Skip the small talk. Break the bad news. State the reason for the termination in one or two short sentences and then tell the person directly that he or she has been terminated. Listen to what the employee has to say. Cover everything essential. Wrap it up graciously.

Colorado Termination (with Discharge): What you need to knowColorado is an employment-at-will state. This means that either the employer or the employee may end the employment relationship without giving either notice or a reason.

If we pay-out vacation time, severance, etc, can employees still file for unemployment? Yes, an unemployment claim can still be filed, but benefits may be reduced or delayed. Employees are required to report any income they receive and the pay-out or severance is income.

If severance pay does extend the employment relationship, however, unemployment benefits may not be available until the severance ends. For example, if you receive a lump sum amount of severance on your last day of work, you may apply for unemployment.

In general, the legal doctrine of employment at-will in Colorado allows an employer or employee to terminate employment at any time, with or without any cause or reason, and without prior notice. However, lawyers can be creative in arguing that an exception to the doctrine applies.

Colorado wage law does not require nor prohibit severance pay. Severance pay is a benefit offered by employers at their own discretion. Severance pay is not wages or compensation for the purposes of the Colorado Wage Act.

Some of the most common reasons for disqualification from receipt of benefits are: Quitting a job voluntarily without good cause connected with work. Being discharged/fired from work for just cause. Refusing an offer of suitable work for which the claimant is reasonably suited.