Job abandonment letter template
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Fill in the job abandonment letter
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Absence From Work Without Notice
Dear [Employee name],
You last worked on [Last day the employee worked]. Since then, you have not reported for the following scheduled shifts, and you did not contact us to report the absence:
[Scheduled shifts missed without notice]
We have tried to reach you as follows and have not received a response:
[Your attempts to reach the employee]
We are concerned about you. If something has happened that has kept you from contacting us, such as an illness or an emergency, please let us know so we can discuss it.
This absence falls under our [Policy that applies].
Please contact us by [Date by which the employee must contact you]
Please contact us by [Date by which the employee must contact you] to explain your absence and tell us whether you intend to return to work. You can reach us as follows: [How to contact you]
[What happens if there is no response]
Final pay and company property
If your employment ends, your final paycheck, covering wages earned through your last day worked, will be paid on [Date the final paycheck will be paid (if employment ends)].
[Note for you: Choose your state above to see its rule on final pay when employment ends, or check it with your state labor office before you send this.]
[Note for you: Choose your state above to see its rule on final pay after a resignation, or check it with your state labor office before you send this.]
Please return the following company property: [Company property to return]
Sincerely,
______________________ Date: __________
[Your name (signs the letter)], [Your job title]
For names with non-Latin characters, use .docx.
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About this template
A factual letter to an employee who has stopped coming to work without contact: the shifts missed, your attempts to reach them, a date to respond, and what happens if they do not. Pick your state to see its final-pay rule, with the official source.
A job abandonment letter goes to an employee who has missed shifts without calling in and has not answered your attempts to reach them. It lists the dates and the attempts, gives a clear date to get in touch, and says what will happen if they do not. It gives the employee a last chance to explain, and it gives you a dated record.
Send it only after you have tried to reach the employee by phone, text and email, and after checking your attendance policy. Pick your state first to see the final-pay rule. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Rules for this document in your state
Final pay when employment endsChoose your stateRules with official sources
Choose your state above to see the rule we have verified, or check it with your state labor office.
Final pay after a resignationChoose your stateRules with official sources
Choose your state above to see the rule we have verified, or check it with your state labor office.
Verified so far, by state
Each rule below was checked against official sources. States not listed have not been verified yet for these topics; check them with the state labor office.
| State | Rule and law | Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Final pay when employment ends: If the employer ends the employment, for any reason, final wages are due within three working days after the termination. (Alaska Stat. § 23.05.140(b)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Alaska | Final pay after a resignation: If the employee quits, final wages are due at the next regular payday that is at least three days after the employer received notice of the employee's termination of services. (Alaska Stat. § 23.05.140(b)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| California | Final pay when employment ends: When an employer discharges an employee, all earned and unpaid wages are due immediately at the time of discharge. (California Labor Code § 201(a)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| California | Final pay after a resignation: With 72 hours notice: An employee without a written contract for a definite period who gives at least 72 hours notice of quitting must be paid all wages at the time of quitting. Without 72 hours notice: An employee without a written contract for a definite period who quits without giving 72 hours notice must be paid all wages within 72 hours of quitting. (California Labor Code § 202(a)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Connecticut | Final pay when employment ends: When an employer discharges an employee, wages must be paid in full no later than the next business day after the discharge. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-71c(b) (CT DOL wage payment laws compilation)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official pages from the same agency |
| Connecticut | Final pay after a resignation: When an employee quits (or is laid off), wages must be paid in full no later than the next regular payday, through regular payment channels or by mail. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-71c(a) (CT DOL wage payment laws compilation)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official pages from the same agency |
| Delaware | Final pay when employment ends: Whether the employee quits, resigns, is discharged, suspended or laid off, wages are due on the later of the next regular payday for the period through the last day worked, or three business days after the last day worked. Payment goes through the usual pay channels, or by mail if the employee asks. (19 Del. C. § 1103(a)(1)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Delaware | Final pay after a resignation: Whether the employee quits, resigns, is discharged, suspended or laid off, wages are due on the later of the next regular payday for the period through the last day worked, or three business days after the last day worked. Payment goes through the usual pay channels, or by mail if the employee asks. (19 Del. C. § 1103(a)(1)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| District of Columbia | Final pay when employment ends: A discharged employee must be paid wages earned no later than the working day after the discharge. If the employee handled employer money, the employer gets 4 days to check the accounts. (D.C. Code § 32-1303(1)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| District of Columbia | Final pay after a resignation: An employee who quits or resigns must be paid by the next regular payday or within 7 days of quitting, whichever is earlier. (D.C. Code § 32-1303(2)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Hawaii | Final pay when employment ends: A discharged employee must be paid all earned wages in full at the time of discharge, or no later than the next working day. (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 388-3(a) (as stated by the Wage Standards Division)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official pages from the same agency |
| Hawaii | Final pay after a resignation: If the employee gives at least one pay period's notice of intention to quit, all wages earned must be paid at the time of quitting (the last day of employment). (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 388-3(b) (as stated by the Wage Standards Division)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official pages from the same agency |
| Illinois | Final pay when employment ends: A separated employee must be paid final compensation in full at separation if possible, and no later than the next regularly scheduled payday. (Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, 820 ILCS 115/5 (Illinois Department of Labor FAQ)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official pages from the same agency |
| Illinois | Final pay after a resignation: An employee who quits must be paid final compensation in full at separation if possible, and no later than the next regularly scheduled payday. (Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, 820 ILCS 115/5 (Illinois Department of Labor FAQ)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official pages from the same agency |
| Iowa | Final pay when employment ends: When employment ends for any reason, all wages earned must be paid no later than the next regular payday. (Iowa Code § 91A.4) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Iowa | Final pay after a resignation: When employment ends for any reason, all wages earned must be paid no later than the next regular payday. (Iowa Code § 91A.4) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Kansas | Final pay when employment ends: When an employer discharges an employee, earned wages must be paid no later than the next regular payday on which the employee would have been paid if still employed, through regular pay channels or by mail if the employee requests it. (K.S.A. 44-315(a)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Kansas | Final pay after a resignation: When an employee quits or resigns, earned wages must be paid no later than the next regular payday on which the employee would have been paid if still employed, through regular pay channels or by mail if the employee requests it. (K.S.A. 44-315(a)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Kentucky | Final pay when employment ends: A discharged employee must be paid in full all wages earned no later than the next normal pay period after the dismissal or 14 days after it, whichever is later. (KRS 337.055) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Kentucky | Final pay after a resignation: An employee who quits must be paid in full all wages earned no later than the next normal pay period after leaving or 14 days after it, whichever is later. (KRS 337.055) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Maine | Final pay when employment ends: A discharged employee must be paid in full no later than the employee's next established (regularly scheduled) payday. (26 M.R.S. § 626) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Maine | Final pay after a resignation: An employee who quits must be paid in full no later than the employee's next established (regularly scheduled) payday. (26 M.R.S. § 626) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Maryland | Final pay when employment ends: When employment ends, whether by discharge, the employer must pay all wages due for work performed before termination on or before the day the employee would have been paid had the employment not ended. (Md. Code, Labor and Employment § 3-505(a)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Maryland | Final pay after a resignation: When employment ends, whether because the employee quits, the employer must pay all wages due for work performed before termination on or before the day the employee would have been paid had the employment not ended. (Md. Code, Labor and Employment § 3-505(a)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Michigan | Final pay when employment ends: An employee who is discharged must be paid all wages due on the regularly scheduled payday for the period in which the termination occurs (hand harvesters of crops follow a separate rule). (Mich. Admin. Code R 408.9007(1)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Michigan | Final pay after a resignation: An employee who quits must be paid all wages due on the regularly scheduled payday for the period in which the termination occurs (hand harvesters of crops follow a separate rule). (Mich. Admin. Code R 408.9007(1)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Minnesota | Final pay when employment ends: When an employer discharges an employee, earned and unpaid wages are immediately due upon the employee's demand; if they are not paid within 24 hours after demand, the employer is in default and penalties can accrue. (Minn. Stat. § 181.13(a)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Minnesota | Final pay after a resignation: When an employee quits, wages are due by the first regularly scheduled payday after the final day of employment; if that payday is less than five calendar days away, payment may be delayed to the second regularly scheduled payday, but no later than 20 calendar days after the final day. (Minn. Stat. § 181.14(a)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Montana | Final pay when employment ends: When an employee is discharged for cause or laid off, all unpaid wages are due immediately, unless the employer has a written policy extending payment to the next regular payday or 15 days after separation, whichever comes first. (Mont. Code Ann. § 39-3-205(2)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Montana | Final pay after a resignation: When an employee quits, unpaid wages are due on the next regular payday for the pay period of separation or within 15 days, whichever comes first. (Mont. Code Ann. § 39-3-205(1)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| New Jersey | Final pay when employment ends: Whether the employee is fired, the employer must pay all wages due no later than the regular payday for the pay period in which the employment ended. (N.J.S.A. 34:11-4.3) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official pages from the same agency |
| New Jersey | Final pay after a resignation: Whether the employee quits, the employer must pay all wages due no later than the regular payday for the pay period in which the employment ended. (N.J.S.A. 34:11-4.3) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official pages from the same agency |
| New York | Final pay when employment ends: When employment ends by termination, the final wages are due no later than the regular payday on which they would have been paid; on request the employer must mail them. (New York State Department of Labor, Wages and Hours Frequently Asked Questions) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official pages from the same agency |
| New York | Final pay after a resignation: When an employee resigns, the final wages are due no later than the regular payday on which they would have been paid; on request the employer must mail them. (New York State Department of Labor, Wages and Hours Frequently Asked Questions) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official pages from the same agency |
| North Carolina | Final pay when employment ends: Whether the employee is fired or quits, all wages due must be paid on or before the next regular payday, through the regular pay channels or by mail if the employee requests it. (NC Department of Labor, Payment of Final Wages to Separated Employees (G.S. 95-25.7)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official pages from the same agency |
| North Carolina | Final pay after a resignation: Whether the employee is fired or quits, all wages due must be paid on or before the next regular payday, through the regular pay channels or by mail if the employee requests it. (NC Department of Labor, Payment of Final Wages to Separated Employees (G.S. 95-25.7)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official pages from the same agency |
| North Dakota | Final pay when employment ends: When an employee is discharged, unpaid wages are due on the next regular payday established in advance by the employer. Unless the parties agreed otherwise, the employer must send them by certified mail to an address the employee designates. (N.D. Cent. Code § 34-14-03) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| North Dakota | Final pay after a resignation: When an employee quits, unpaid wages are due on the next regular payday established in advance by the employer for the periods worked. (N.D. Cent. Code § 34-14-03) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Oklahoma | Final pay when employment ends: Whether the employee is fired or quits, wages must be paid in full (less offsets and amounts in bona fide dispute) by the next regular designated payday for the pay period in which the work was performed. (40 O.S. § 165.3(A), as published by the Oklahoma Department of Labor (Wage Law compilation)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official pages from the same agency |
| Oklahoma | Final pay after a resignation: Whether the employee is fired or quits, wages must be paid in full (less offsets and amounts in bona fide dispute) by the next regular designated payday for the pay period in which the work was performed. (40 O.S. § 165.3(A), as published by the Oklahoma Department of Labor (Wage Law compilation)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official pages from the same agency |
| Oregon | Final pay when employment ends: A fired or laid-off employee must receive the final paycheck by the end of the next business day. (Oregon BOLI, Paychecks (ORS 652.140)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official pages from the same agency |
| Oregon | Final pay after a resignation: With notice: An employee who quits with at least 48 hours’ notice (excluding weekends and holidays) must be paid on the last day of employment; if that day is a weekend or holiday, by the next business day. Without notice: An employee who quits with less than 48 hours’ notice must be paid within five business days or on the next regular payday, whichever comes first. (Oregon BOLI, Paychecks (ORS 652.140)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official pages from the same agency |
| Pennsylvania | Final pay when employment ends: When an employer separates an employee from the payroll, earned wages are due no later than the next regular payday. (Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law, Act of July 14, 1961, P.L. 637, No. 329, Section 5(a) (43 P.S. § 260.5)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official pages from the same agency |
| Pennsylvania | Final pay after a resignation: When an employee quits or resigns, earned wages are due no later than the next regular payday. (Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law, Act of July 14, 1961, P.L. 637, No. 329, Section 5(a) (43 P.S. § 260.5)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official pages from the same agency |
| South Dakota | Final pay when employment ends: When the employer separates an employee, unpaid wages are due by the next regular payday for those hours, or as soon afterwards as the employee returns all employer property in their possession. (S.D. Codified Laws § 60-11-10) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| South Dakota | Final pay after a resignation: When an employee without a written fixed-term contract quits, earned wages are due by the next regular payday for those hours, or as soon afterwards as the employee returns all employer property in their possession. (S.D. Codified Laws § 60-11-11) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Texas | Final pay when employment ends: An employee who is discharged must be paid in full not later than the sixth calendar day after discharge. (Texas Labor Code § 61.014(a)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Texas | Final pay after a resignation: An employee who leaves employment other than by discharge (quits, resigns, retires) must be paid in full not later than the next regularly scheduled payday. (Texas Labor Code § 61.014(b)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Utah | Final pay when employment ends: When the employer separates an employee, unpaid wages are due immediately and must be paid within 24 hours of separation. (Utah Code § 34-28-5(1)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Utah | Final pay after a resignation: An employee without a written fixed-term contract who resigns must be paid earned wages by the next regular payday. (Utah Code § 34-28-5(2)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Vermont | Final pay when employment ends: A discharged employee must be paid within 72 hours of discharge. (21 V.S.A. § 342(b)(2)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Vermont | Final pay after a resignation: An employee who voluntarily leaves must be paid on the last regular payday, or, if there is no regular payday, on the following Friday. (21 V.S.A. § 342(b)(1)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Washington | Final pay when employment ends: Whether the employee is fired or quits, wages due must be paid at the end of the established pay period, on or before the next regularly scheduled payday. The employer cannot hold the final paycheck until keys, uniforms or tools are returned. (RCW 49.48.010(2)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Washington | Final pay after a resignation: Whether the employee is fired or quits, wages due must be paid at the end of the established pay period, on or before the next regularly scheduled payday. The employer cannot hold the final paycheck until keys, uniforms or tools are returned. (RCW 49.48.010(2)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| West Virginia | Final pay when employment ends: Whether the employee is fired or quits, wages due must be paid on or before the next regular payday on which they would otherwise be due. (W. Va. Code § 21-5-4(b)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| West Virginia | Final pay after a resignation: Whether the employee is fired or quits, wages due must be paid on or before the next regular payday on which they would otherwise be due. (W. Va. Code § 21-5-4(b)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Wyoming | Final pay when employment ends: Whether the employee quits or is discharged, wages due must be paid no later than the employer's next regularly scheduled payday (or a time set by a collective bargaining agreement). (Wyo. Stat. § 27-4-104(a)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
| Wyoming | Final pay after a resignation: Whether the employee quits or is discharged, wages due must be paid no later than the employer's next regularly scheduled payday (or a time set by a collective bargaining agreement). (Wyo. Stat. § 27-4-104(a)) | Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources |
How to use this template
- Try to reach the employee first by phone, text and email, and record each attempt with the date and time.
- Check your attendance policy: what it says about calling in, and after how many consecutive no-shows it treats the job as abandoned. Use the same wording in the letter.
- Give a realistic response date, a few days after the employee is likely to receive the letter.
- Send it to the last known mailing address and the personal email on file, and keep a copy with proof of sending.
- If the employee replies with a medical or family reason, pause and review before you take any further step.
- If there is no response by the date, confirm the end of employment in writing and pay the final paycheck on the date your state requires.
Example wording
Examples of the level of detail that makes a document clear. Replace them with your own facts.
- Contact attempts: Phone call on Monday, March 3 at 9:20 a.m. (no answer, voicemail left); text message on March 3 at 9:25 a.m.; phone call to the emergency contact on March 4 at 10:00 a.m.; email to your personal address on March 5 at 11:15 a.m.
- Policy reference: our attendance policy (section 3), which asks employees to call their supervisor before the start of the shift and treats three consecutive shifts missed without notice as job abandonment
Questions people ask
What should a job abandonment letter include?
The last day worked, each scheduled shift missed without notice, every attempt to reach the employee with dates and times, a date by which to respond and how, what happens if there is no response, and the final pay date if employment ends.
Is a no call no show termination letter the same as a job abandonment letter?
They cover the same situation at different moments. This letter asks the employee to respond by a date. If they do not, a short termination letter confirms that the employment has ended and when final pay arrives.
Does job abandonment count as quitting or being fired for final pay?
It depends on the state and on how the separation is described, so check both final-pay rules for your state on this page. The Department of Labor says federal law does not require immediate final payment and that some states may.
The full process
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Sources (4)
Checked Sep 24, 2026 · How we verify every rule · Report an error