What a Notice of Separation means (and why it doesn't affect future assignments)

Applies to: US W-2 employees whose assignment through Ascen has ended. Independent contractors and international workers are not employees of Ascen, so they do not receive an employment separation notice.

Summary: A "Notice of Separation from Ascen Workforce, LLC" is a document some states require an employer to send when an assignment ends. It is a legal formality — it does not mean you did anything wrong, and it does not stop you being placed on another assignment.

Why you received it

Ascen is the employer of record for your W-2 assignment, which means Ascen is the legal employer on your paperwork even though you do the work at a client site. When an assignment ends, some states require the employer to give the worker a written separation notice, usually so the worker has what they need if they want to apply for unemployment benefits.

Whether you get one — and what it looks like — depends on the state you worked in. Some states require it, others do not. If you worked in a state that requires it, the notice is generated automatically when your assignment is closed in our system.

An assignment does not have to have been formally ended for this to happen. Assignments can also be closed automatically after a stretch with no activity on them, and a notice generated then simply reflects that there was no active assignment on that date. It does not mean you were let go, and it does not stop you being placed again — if you are still working, or want to be, tell us and we will look at the assignment.

What it does not mean

• It does not mean you were fired or did anything wrong. The notice is sent when an assignment ends, for any reason — including the normal end of a contract.

• It does not affect your eligibility for future work. Receiving a separation notice has no impact on being rehired or placed on a new assignment.

• It does not always mean your employment with Ascen has fully ended. If you have another active assignment, that one continues.

Why it doesn't name the client or brand you worked for

The notice is issued by your legal employer, so it shows the Ascen Workforce entity rather than the client, brand, or staffing agency you dealt with day to day. That is why the company name on it may not look familiar. If you are not sure which assignment a notice refers to, email support@ascen.com and we can tell you.

Who the notice comes from — and how to tell it is genuine

State-required separation notices are sent on our behalf by an independent provider we use for this kind of notice, so the email may arrive from a company name you have never dealt with rather than from an Ascen address. That is expected, and the notice is genuine.

It is a fair thing to be suspicious about — an unexpected message about your employment, from a company you do not recognise, is exactly what a scam looks like. If you are not sure whether a message is really connected to us, do not click the links or enter any details. Forward it to support@ascen.com and ask us to confirm it before you do anything with it. We would far rather check a real one for you than have you act on a fake one.

What to do at the end of your assignment

When your assignment ends, if you want another one, reach out right away — email separations@ascen.com or call (857) 245-9113 — or contact your staffing Partner (the agency or app that placed you) directly.

While you are between assignments, check in with us at least once a week to confirm you are available for work. If we do not hear from you, we will treat it as you not being available, which can affect future placements.

Completing an assignment does not guarantee a new placement — assignments depend on client needs. Keep your Ascen onboarding steps complete so you are ready to be placed. See Getting started: your onboarding checklist.

Why checking in matters — and how to protect yourself

Checking in is not just about getting your next assignment. When an assignment ends, how your separation is recorded depends partly on whether you told us you wanted more work. If we never hear from you, the record can be closed as though you chose to stop working rather than as a shortage of work — and that distinction matters if you later apply for unemployment benefits.

This comes from the End of Assignment Obligations policy you acknowledged when you onboarded. In practice, three things protect you:

1. Reach out as soon as the assignment ends — email separations@ascen.com or call (857) 245-9113 — and say clearly that you are interested in and available for more work.

2. Contacting your staffing Partner counts too. If you asked the agency or app that placed you about further work, that is treated the same as contacting us. You do not have to do both.

3. Keep a record of it. Send an email rather than making only a phone call where you can, and keep the sent message or a screenshot with its date. If there is ever a question about whether you reached out, that record is what settles it.

If your separation has been recorded in a way you disagree with and you have a record of your outreach, reply to us at separations@ascen.com with it and ask for the separation to be re-reviewed. Whatever the outcome, you can always file a claim or contest a determination directly with your state's unemployment agency — eligibility is decided by the state, not by Ascen. See How to file for unemployment and Your final paycheck when an assignment ends.

Questions about the notice itself

For questions about the notice, the reason listed on it, or your employment dates, email support@ascen.com.