Termination FAQs for California Employers

We often receive calls from clients with questions about terminating employees. Here are our most frequently asked questions:

Q1: I want to terminate my employee today, what must I provide them? 

A: Assuming the termination reasons are lawful, you need to give the employee the necessary paperwork and their final paycheck on their last workday. In California, the required paperwork includes an acknowledgment of final pay, HIPP Notice in their preferred language, a change in relationship form, and Form DE 2320 from the EDD regarding unemployment benefits.

 Q2: My employee just told me today would be their last day! What should I do now? 

A: If no advance notice was given, you have 72 hours to provide the employee with their final check and necessary documents (refer to question 1).

 Q3: My employee has been late on numerous occasions despite verbal warnings. Can I let them go today? 

A: Yes, you can. Ensure that the employee's tardiness and verbal warnings are documented in their personnel file. It's crucial to have a conversation with the employee before termination to understand the reasons for their tardiness. These discussions are vital because, despite California being an at-will state, each termination must be for a lawful cause.

If you have any questions of your own about terminations, contact our consulting team!