{"id":357798,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/losing-a-job\/employee-rights-after-a-job-termination.html"},"modified":"2024-03-19T10:24:00","modified_gmt":"2024-03-19T15:24:00","slug":"employee-rights-after-a-job-termination","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/losing-a-job\/employee-rights-after-a-job-termination.html","title":{"rendered":"Employee Rights After a Job Termination"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Employee Rights After a Job Termination<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Chris Meyers, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Employees terminated by an employer have legal rights under federal law. An employee must receive a final paycheck within a certain time frame. They also must have the option of continuing health insurance coverage. They may be eligible for severance pay and unemployment compensation benefits.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

There are steps you can take<\/a> to help protect yourself after losing your job. It’s also important to understand your rights after a job termination. In some cases, especially if a former employer denies fair benefits or compensation, speaking with an employment attorney<\/a> may be helpful. <\/p>\n

At-Will Employment<\/h2>\n

In most cases, employment is at-will<\/a>. At-will employment means an employer in the private sector can fire an employee at any time and for any reason. But wrongful termination of an at-will employee is possible. Termination may be unlawful<\/a> if:<\/p>\n