What Is Terminated From Employment?

Termination From Employment Explained

Terminated from employment
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The Balance / Ashley Nicole DeLeon

Definition

Terminated from employment is when your employment is ended either voluntarily or involuntarily.

Key Takeaways

  • A termination from employment is the ending of an employee's job.
  • Termination of employment can be voluntary, in which it is the employee's decision, or involuntary, when it is the employer's decision.
  • If someone is wrongfully terminated from employment, they may be able to bring their case to court.

How Termination From Employment Works

Someone who has been terminated from employment is no longer employed and their job is ended.

There are two types of job terminations:

  • Voluntary: A voluntary termination of employment is a decision made by the employee. Voluntary termination includes resignation or retirement.
  • Involuntary: Employment termination is involuntary when an employee is terminated by the employer.

Note

Some common reasons for dismissal include poor performance or incompetence, attendance problems, and insubordination or other behavioral problems. An employee also might be dismissed for misconduct, which includes ethical issues such as lying, falsifying information, stealing, or other unacceptable behavior.

Involuntary termination may be due to the employee's actions or behavior, in which case they are terminated for cause. However, involuntary termination might also happen if the company downsizes or lays off workers, conditions which are outside of the employee's control.

Many employers have established procedures that managers must follow in order to terminate an employee. Typically, supervisors will be asked to document any problems, develop a performance plan to address issues, and formally warn employees prior to terminating them. Warnings often follow a continuum of severity beginning with a verbal warning, proceeding to a written warning, and ending with a final warning.

Warning letters reference specific problem behaviors, attitudes, ethical or legal transgressions, and performance issues. Goals for improvement are specified, and time frames for enactment of changes are established. Warning letters detail consequences, including termination, for failure to meet expectations.

At-Will Employment

In the U.S., most jobs are considered to be at-will employment, which allows employers the freedom to dismiss employees and employees the freedom to leave companies, each without providing notice (although it's often given as a courtesy). The exceptions are jobs that are covered under employment contracts and dismissals for illegal reasons.

Wrongful Termination

Illegal dismissal happens when an employer fires an employee in a way that breaks an employment contract or an employment law. Such termination is deemed wrongful, and includes the following reasons:

  • Racial or religious discrimination
  • Retaliation or payback
  • Acting as a whistleblower

Note

A dismissal is also illegal if an employer does not follow the company’s own termination procedures.

If you believe you've been dismissed illegally, you can file a claim and take your case to court. If you win the case, you may receive monetary compensation for being wrongfully dismissed. In lieu of compensation, another remedy is to reinstate you at the company.

In addition to any compensation you win, the law can also justify charging the employer for punitive damages. In the United States, punishment can vary on account of the countless state and federal laws surrounding this topic.

After Termination

Once an employee has been terminated, they may be able to collect certain kinds of payments:

  • Unemployment: Your ability to receive unemployment and other benefits after being dismissed may depend on the reasons provided for your dismissal, as well as your state. You may be unable to collect unemployment if you are fired.
  • Severance pay: Some companies may offer severance pay, particularly if the dismissal is due to company-related changes, such as restructuring or downsizing.
  • Health care: You may be eligible to continue group health benefits for a period of time after a job loss.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does terminated mean fired?

Generally speaking, "terminated" means your employment ends. It can be voluntary (you resign), or it can be involuntary, which means your employer fires you or lays you off.

Is it better to resign or be terminated?

The answer depends on your situation. Typically, though, resigning means you won't receive unemployment benefits, whereas being fired could make you eligible for unemployment.

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Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Minken Employment Lawyers. "Termination for Cause—Hard To Prove."

  2. DavidsonMorris. "When To Issue a Final Warning?"

  3. Neathouse Partners. "Final Written Warning: What Employees Need To Know."

  4. University of Washington. "Involuntary Termination."

  5. Society for Human Resource Management. "What You Need to Know About Termination of Employment."

  6. Department of Labor. "Termination."

  7. Kingsley & Kingsley. "How To File a Wrongful Termination Lawsuit."

  8. Department of Labor. "Severance Pay."

  9. U.S. Department of Labor. "Termination." Accessed July 11, 2020.

  10. Edgar Snyder & Associates. "Is It Better To Quit or Be Fired?"

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