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.
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.
If you're under 40, you get five days to review a severance agreement. If you're over 40, you get 21 days. #EmploymentLawyer #California.
Federal courts usually have held that the company retains its right, under the common law governing formation of contracts, to revoke an offer of a severance agreement during the 21 day review period mandated by the Older Workers Benefits Protection Act.
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.
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.