Employment in Financial Services
Contributing Editor
In a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, employers in the financial services sector must ensure they are fully compliant with local employment rules and procedures. Helping to mitigate risk, IEL’s guide provides clear answers to the key issues facing employers in the sector
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12. Are there any particular rules or protocols that apply when terminating the employment of an employee in the financial services sector, including where a settlement agreement is entered into?
12. Are there any particular rules or protocols that apply when terminating the employment of an employee in the financial services sector, including where a settlement agreement is entered into?
United States
United States
- at Morgan Lewis & Bockius
- at Morgan Lewis & Bockius
Form U5, the Uniform Termination Notice for Securities Industry Registration, is used by broker-dealers to terminate the registration of an associated person with FINRA and in other applicable jurisdictions and self-regulatory organisations. A FINRA member firm must file Form U5 within 30 days of an employee’s termination. This form includes the reason for an employee’s departure and must include a detailed description of the reasons for termination. Employee appeals related to the content of the U5 are arbitrated before FINRA (eg, if an employee challenges their termination).
Payments to retiring employees
FINRA prohibits paying commissions to unregistered persons, except for retired representatives receiving trailing commissions where a bona fide contract was entered into between the broker-dealer and the retiring employee.
California
California law prohibits the use of non-disclosure provisions in settlement agreements that are designed to restrict an employee's ability to disclose information about unlawful acts in the workplace, including information pertaining to harassment or discrimination or any other conduct the employee has reason to believe is unlawful. Provisions protecting the identity of a claimant are permitted where requested by the claimant. California law also prohibits “no-rehire” provisions in settlements of employment disputes, with limited exceptions for employees whom the employer, in good faith, determined engaged in sexual harassment or sexual assault, or any criminal conduct.