Legal Question in Employment Law in California

Re: Documentation

You are not required to provide a reason for termination, but may do so if you wish. In California, there are reasons that are legally impermissible (i.e. whistleblower, age, race, etc.). Even if your reason is not illegal, if the person falls into such a category, you should be prepared to provide substantiation for the firing in case the ex-employee files a claim against you.

Re: Documentation

There is no requirement that they be told why they were terminated, either orally or in writing. If you want to provide them with a written notification why they were terminated, there is no law against it.