When someone is no longer employed with a particular company, this is known as job termination. Job termination may be mutually agreed upon, as might be the case with an employee who leaves to pursue other options, or it may be forced, as in the case of someone who is fired. A employee may also choose to terminate employment independently for a range of reasons. Job termination can be good or bad, depending on the circumstances and the reasons, but it is a good idea to make the best of it in any case.
In many nations, a series of legal procedures must be followed when employment is terminated, especially on the part of employers. These procedures are designed to reduce the risk of discrimination, strong arm tactics, and other violations of rights. Employees and employers alike should read up on their rights to ensure that they are following the letter of the law. It is especially important for employees to be aware of their rights, as some workplace situations could be considered exploitation.
Most people think of job termination in terms of firing, a decision by an employer to release an employee. An employee may be fired for repeated violations of workplace policy or a generally poor quality of work. Most employees have legal protections to ensure that they are not unfairly fired; for example, employees must receive multiple warnings before they can be terminated in most countries. If you feel that you have been a victim of unlawful termination, you should contact your local department of labor and your union, if you are a union member.
In other cases, an employee may quit. By popular convention, employees give notice when they intend to leave a position, so that their employers have enough time to find and train a replacement. In other situations, an employee may feel that it is in his or her best interests to quit immediately, perhaps because conditions in the workplace have become untenable. After this type of job termination, it is generally not possible to collect unemployment benefits, because the employee terminated employment willfully, rather than involuntarily.
The best sort of job termination is that in which an employee leaves to pursue a great opportunity with the blessing of his or her employer. In this instance, relations between the two may remain amicable, with the former employer potentially offering advice or assistance to help the employee transition. The employee may also assist by offering thorough training and support to his or her replacement.