Severance is never a requirement of any employer unless you have a signed employment agreement stating otherwise, or, it is a written policy of the company.
No. Under California law, it's not mandatory for you to sign a severance agreement – regardless of your position, job responsibilities, and the industry you work in. In fact, the law states that a severance agreement is valid only if the parties involved voluntarily enter into it.
It makes no difference how long you've been with a company so yes, it's legal to lay off any and everyone without severance. The exceptions: a union agreement requiring severance, a personal contract calling for a severance. This is usually only for executives and ``key'' people.
Employers are not legally required to offer severance during layoffs, but many choose to do so to maintain goodwill and ease the transition for their former employees. If you are offered a severance agreement, remember that you don't have to sign it right away.
You and your employer must follow certain legal formalities for a severance agreement to be enforceable. You must ensure that the agreement is in writing and that your employer has signed it. Sometimes, you might also need a witness or have it notarized. Failing to adhere to these formalities can void the agreement.
Courts will recognize electronic signatures, but make sure you can actually proof that the signature belongs to the employee at issue.
You do not get severance if you quit. Nobody is automatically entitled to any severance legally, ever, unless you were hired under a contract such as a 1099 employee and you have severance written into your agreement. Standard W-2 employees usually do not get severance.
To increase your chances of a successful negotiation, choose a reasonable counter-offer. Think about the resources your former employers can offer and what you can offer in return. Employers usually do not want to engage in a lengthy negotiation, so presenting a reasonable offer may encourage them to accept to move on.