While no mandate requires employers to provide severance under California law, SB 331, signed into law in October 2021, introduced important provisions: Time to Review: You have a minimum of five days to review the severance agreement.
Severance offer response letter tips Take your time. Your employer might want you to sign a termination contract and severance agreement right away. Keep it professional. Be wary of non-compete clauses. Get it in writing. Work with a lawyer. You can refuse to sign.
You are not required to accept the deal the employer initially offers. As with other types of contracts, the help of experienced counsel can influence the terms of the agreement. No federal law requires an employer to offer severance packages to laid-off employees under all circumstances.
Yes. I highly recommend accepting the severance agreement immediately. I would also recommend that they immediately start looking for a new job with fervor.
Fraud, misrepresentation, duress, or unconscionability are common defenses you can use if you want to void a severance agreement that you already signed.
Can a severance agreement be withdrawn? It depends. In many states, you may withdraw your agreement to the severance package within seven days after you sign it. If you have 21 days to consider the offer, then your employer cannot withdraw it during that time.
Okay, unfortunately without any type of contractual obligation a severance package is entirely voluntary on the part of the employer and they can rescind that offer at any time up until the employee accepts it.
If you are under the age of 40 or if you are over 40 but it has been more than 7 days, the agreement can be invalidated if your employer committed fraud or deception, or made a misrepresentation to you in order to get you to sign the agreement. The agreement may also be unenforceable if you signed it under duress.
Specifically, California Gov Code 12964.5(b)(4) sets a mandatory waiting period of at least five business days. This period allows employees the necessary time to review the severance agreement thoroughly and consult with legal counsel to ensure the terms are fair and in their best interest.
Fraud, misrepresentation, duress, or unconscionability are common defenses you can use if you want to void a severance agreement that you already signed.