Under Labor Code Section 202, when an employee not having a written contact for a definite period quits his or her employment and gives 72 hours prior notice of his or her intention to quit, and quits on the day given in the notice, the employee is entitled to his or her wages at the time of quitting.
What is the downside to severance? The downside to severance includes financial drawbacks such as loss of steady income, potential loss of benefits, and uncertainty about future job prospects, as well as the impact on retirement savings and benefits.
File a Complaint with the Appropriate Agency The Civil Rights Department (CRD): California's CRD investigates claims of discrimination and harassment. After the investigation, you may receive a right-to-sue letter.
The new rule mandates that businesses inform their employees that they have at least five days to review any separation or severance arrangements.
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.
Keep it friendly. Don't hint that you may sue or are looking to make their lives difficult. Respond to the severance email or reach out to HR directly saying you'd like to discuss the severance agreement. Come prepared with research.
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.
Negotiation Leverage: Refusing to sign the agreement can provide leverage for negotiation with your employer. You might be able to negotiate more favorable terms including a better severance package, limiting the scope of non-disclosure, non-disparagement, non-compete and non-solicitation clauses, and more.
If you were to breach the severance agreement (for example by suing your former employer despite the severance agreement waiving all claims you had against it), the former employer would be within its rights to stop making severance payments.