Q: Terminated for low performance without written warning or documentation in Colorado.
I was employed at my company from June 2024 until February 28, 2025, when I was terminated for 'low performance' without any written warning. During my employment, my supervisor informed me verbally that he received low performance feedback from my project manager. Although a performance review process was in progress, I was terminated without receiving any documentation related to my performance. During the termination week, the engineering manager mentioned implementing a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). Is this termination process compliant with employment laws?
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A:
In Colorado, employers are generally not required to provide written warnings before terminating an employee unless it's specified in your employment contract or company policy. However, if the company has a performance review process or practices such as a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), your termination without following those steps could raise concerns about whether the process was handled fairly.
Since you were told about low performance verbally, but there was no written documentation or formal PIP implemented, this might be an issue. A verbal warning alone may not meet the standards for fair treatment, especially if a formal process was in progress and you were not given a clear opportunity to improve.
You may want to request a meeting with your HR department to clarify why the termination process was handled this way and to ask for documentation related to your performance reviews or any formal warnings. If you believe the termination was unjust or if you were treated unfairly, you could consider seeking legal advice or filing a claim with the Colorado Department of Labor to explore your options.
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