Why did my assignment end early without notice?
Last updated: November 10, 2026
Applies to: US W-2 employees of Ascen placed on an assignment through a staffing partner. Independent contractors are not employees, so at-will employment does not describe their work (their contractor agreement covers it). Canadian T4 and international employees: different rules apply where you work, so email support@ascen.com.
Summary: Your employment with Ascen is at-will, so either you or Ascen can end it at any time with or without advance notice, and the length in your offer letter is an estimate, not a guarantee. Your Ascen documents do not promise a 30-day or two-week notice period (if you work primarily in Montana, your offer letter sets different terms).
Why an assignment can end early
Ascen (Ascen Workforce, LLC) is your employer, and your staffing partner placed you with the client. The client or your staffing partner may end an assignment early for ordinary reasons, such as the client's needs changing or the project finishing sooner. An estimated length or end date is what was expected at setup, not a commitment.
What at-will employment means
The Employment Relationship section of your offer letter, and the Employee Handbook you acknowledged, say your employment is at-will and for an indefinite period:
You may resign at any time, with or without advance notice.
Ascen may end your employment at any time, with or without advance notice and with or without cause.
A spoken estimate, such as a project expected to run to the end of the year, does not change this.
State law can add protections, and these vary by where you work. Montana is the one state your offer letter treats differently: employment there is at-will only during a probationary period that ends 18 months after your start date, and after that Ascen may end your employment only for good cause.
Check what you signed
Log in at app.ascen.com and open Documents to see what you signed during onboarding, such as your offer letter, the End of Assignment Obligations policy and your Employee Handbook Acknowledgment. See How do I get a copy of my offer letter?
What to do now
One assignment ending does not always end your employment with Ascen.
Say you want more work. Right away, email separations@ascen.com, call (857) 245-9113, or tell your staffing partner, and keep a record such as the sent email. While you are between assignments, check in at least once a week to confirm you are available. Not hearing from you can affect future placements and how your separation is recorded. See What a Notice of Separation means.
Final pay. Enter any hours you have not submitted yet in Timesheets at app.ascen.com. If the ended assignment no longer lets you enter time, see Unable to Submit Timesheet: Assignment Appears Closed or Ended. Final pay timing varies by state: see Your final paycheck when an assignment ends.
Health benefits. See What happens to your health coverage between assignments.
Unemployment. Your state decides eligibility. See How to file for unemployment.
If you think the reason was unlawful
At-will employment does not allow an employer to end employment for an illegal reason, such as discrimination or retaliation. If you believe that is why your assignment ended, email Ascen HR at support@ascen.com.
Where to get help
support@ascen.com: your signed documents, final pay, PTO, benefits and other HR questions.
separations@ascen.com or (857) 245-9113: telling Ascen you are available for another assignment.
Your staffing partner: questions about the assignment at the client and what work comes next.