Add Comment Question: If you have an employee off work injured or sick, not work related, when can you terminate them without severance. How long must you maintain drug and dental benefits for. Answer: It would have to be a very lengthy absence, usually no less than a year and likely more and only if there is no reasonable prospect of a return to work. As for benefits, if you are continuing benefits, you have to give reasonable notice of terminating them. This situation can be quite involved so I do not recommend that you do anything before we speak. You can call me at the number below. Lior Samfiru Your Comment * Your Email * Your Name * Your City Note, your name, city and email is not displayed on the website. It is used to notify you that we have approved your comment.