Sample General Release

Sometimes, employers will instruct you to sign a release under the guise that it is required to obtain your earned vacation pay, a reference, or severance. In most circumstances, be suspicious if an employer wants a signature on the spot. Typically, you are signing away some important legal right.

In California, a general release does not extend to claims which a party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release (Cal. Civ. Code § 1542).Conditional releases are enforceable in California and are commonly used in the construction contracts.

A release agreement is an enforceable promise not to proceed with a legal claim in exchange for money or other compensation. Essentially, a party (the releasee) gives money or other consideration to a second party (the releasor).Commonly, money is offered as consideration.

The release waives claims for conduct that occurs on or before the date the agreement is signed. As a result, an employee often signs the separation agreement and release after the date that the employee stops working, often called the termination date.

Include the specific grounds for termination. Include a severance payment in addition to any vacation time or salary that the employee is owed. Make sure that the agreement complies with state and federal laws. State that the employee must return any company products or business materials in the employee's possession.

A general release is a document in which one person releases another from any claims or threats of lawsuits.Generally, releases are effective to eliminate all claims you may have up until the time of the release.

The short answer is no. You don't have to accept what your employer offers, nor do you have to sign a release. A release is valid only if it's voluntary: If your employer requires or coerces you sign, it won't be upheld in court. This doesn't mean, however, that you are entitled to severance.