Recent Answers to Employment Termination Letter Law Questions

Sara S.

Answered Jun 20, 2025

Hi, The State of Maryland is an "at-will employment state". So yes, an employer can terminate an employee at anytime. Per the State of Maryland: "In Maryland, employees work "at the will" of their employers. This means, in the absence of an express contract, agreement or policy to the contrary, an employee may be hired or fired for almost any reason -- whether fair or not -- or for no reason at all. There are certain exceptions to this general rule which provide some protection to employees from illegal discrimination based on such categories as race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability or marital status. Examples of other employment at-will exceptions include laws which protect employees from termination or retaliation for filing workers' compensation claims, for attempting to enforce rights to receive overtime or the minimum wage, for asserting rights to work in a safe and healthy workplace, for refusing to commit criminal acts, for reporting for jury duty or military service, or for being subject to a wage attachment for any one indebtedness. Terminating an employee for any of these specific reasons may constitute a violation under the applicable State or federal law." You can learn more by reviewing your employment contract, employee handbook and other documents with a qualified Maryland attorney.

Merry K.

Answered Jan 17, 2025

I am so very sorry to hear about your termination. Unfortunately, "at will" employers can discipline or even terminate employees for zero reason and with zero advance notice. They can increase or decrease wages, work locations, job duties, etc, without consulting you. They are not required to provide notice of problems or training, for that matter. Employers can be total jerks. . There are exceptions: . • The employer cannot violate a law, or ask you to violate a law. For example, if you are were fired because of your race and/or sex and/or sexual orientation, and not just because of your competency level, you have the right to file discrimination complaints with the state (Washington State Human Rights Commission) and federal anti-discrimination agencies. Or, if you have filed a wage and hour complaint or worker’s compensation claim, you can’t be retaliated against. • Some courts have also held that employers can't violate their own policies/terms in employment handbooks. • Employees of most governmental agencies are entitled to a hearing to contest disciplinary measures or termination. Now, I've only written about "at will" employment so far. If you had an employment contract, the employer must follow the contract terms prior to firing you. I hope that this information is helpful to you. I have worked in the field of general employment law, and also employment discrimination, for more years than I can count - even before law school.

Merry K.

Answered Dec 31, 2024

I am sorry to hear about the financial difficulties. If the employees are "at will" (that is, no employment contract) you can terminate or lay them off with zero advance notice and zero reason given and no requirement for severance. The exceptions would be if you were violating the law (for example, if you only terminated people of color). If you have 100 or more employees and are terminating 50 or more, you would need to provide advance notice. If any employee has an employment contract, you will need to read the contract carefully and follow any termination requirements, such as a particular length of notice or a severance package - again, only if you have promised to do so in an employment (or other) contract. I would be available to help you through a Contracts Counsel project, but unfortunately the soonest I'd be available is January 24th, because of other commitments.