Is an employer required to provide written notice to employees of employment actions, such as layoffs and discharges?

Generally speaking, there is no legal requirement that employees be provided with written notice of employment actions such as layoffs or discharges. Employers are required to advise employees in writing when they will be paid during their employment and to provide detailed information to employees in the form of wages and deductions. Certain written notices are also required for leaves of absence under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Pennsylvania employers must advise all employees in writing of their opportunity to file for unemployment compensation benefits, as well as their option to continue health insurance through COBRA or Pennsylvania's Mini-COBRA Act. Many employers do provide written notice of employment actions such as layoffs and discharges for record keeping purposes.