Employees age 40 or older must be given 21 days to consider the employer's offer, unless it is part of a group termination. In a group termination, employees must be given 45 days. If the employee is younger than 40, there is no specified period of time which the employee must be given to sign the severance agreement.
California employers are required to give employees over 40 a minimum of 21 days to review a severance agreement. During this time, employees can seek advice from an attorney or financial advisor. Additionally, employees have 7 days after signing the agreement to revoke it.
The act applies to employers with at least 20 employees. The ADEA and the OWBPA do not protect employees under 40 from age discrimination.
Under the Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (``ADEA''), if you are over 40, you have a minimum of 21 days to consider the severance offer and 7 days after signing to revoke the acceptance. Use that 21 days (or possibly 45 days if 2 or more employees or being laid off) to seek legal counsel.
1. How long do I legally have to sign a severance agreement in California? You usually have 5 business days. However, people 40 and older must be given at least 21 days to consider the agreement or 45 days in group layoffs.
Thankfully, in California, employers are required to follow certain rules when offering severance agreements to older employees, including providing time to consider the agreement and the option to consult with an attorney.
Adequate Review Time: The employee must be given 21 days to consider the agreement if they are the sole person being terminated, or 45 days in the case of a group layoff. Revocation Period: After signing, the employee has 7 days to revoke their agreement.
If an under-40 employee is the only person being offered a Severance Agreement, then no particular time period for consideration of that offer must be pro- vided. In general, however, any release must be “knowing and voluntary” to be enforceable.