Glossary — Hr compliance

Employee separation

The end of the employment relationship — termination, resignation, retirement, or layoff.

Definition

Separations come in several forms: voluntary resignation, involuntary termination (for cause or without cause), reduction in force / layoff, retirement, mutual separation. Each has different procedural requirements and downstream effects (UI eligibility, COBRA notices, final paycheck timing per state law, return of company property).

PEO HR advisors typically support separation decisions, paperwork, and the procedural execution.

Common questions about Employee separation

The end of the employment relationship — termination, resignation, retirement, or layoff.

Separations come in several forms: voluntary resignation, involuntary termination (for cause or without cause), reduction in force / layoff, retirement, mutual separation.

Most PEO buying decisions touch several related concepts at once. Employee separation typically comes up alongside the other terms in this category. Closely related terms include Wrongful termination, Severance pay, COBRA.

Browse the full PEO glossary

This is one entry from our PEO glossary covering payroll, benefits, workers comp, HR compliance, and PEO mechanics. Browse all terms.

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