7 ms·
I don't think "at will" employees are even guaranteed severance pay every where.
by rwmurrayVT 6y ago
I don't think "at will" employees are even guaranteed severance pay every where.
- dudul 6y agoTrue, this is just an expected curtesy, just like the 2 week notice an employee is supposed to give when leaving.
- derivagral 6y agoI always thought this was an odd formality due to the asymmetry; if an employer is terminating you, they generally won't give you a 2 week notice, at least in the USA.
- dudul 6y agoBut they are supposed to give you 2 weeks of pay. I prefer to get the cash and have 2 weeks, at home, starting the full time search for a new job. Instead of having to show up for 2 weeks while knowing that I will be gone in a few days :)
- otterley 6y agoThere's no such law in any US State that I'm aware of that requires a company provide you severance pay upon termination. Such severance is a courtesy at best. When the circumstances are contentious, it is frequently provided in exchange for an agreement that the terminated employee not sue the company for unlawful termination, discrimination, etc. and not defame the company in any way.
- ensignavenger 6y agoThere are also no laws that an at-will employee must give two weeks notice- it is a courtesy at best.
- dudul 6y agoYes, just like the 2 week notice from the employee. I feel like we've gone full circle twice now.
- perl4ever 6y agoI've always given 2 weeks notice, never been offered severance pay, but on the other hand never been marched out immediately like some people. In one instance, I gave my resignation and then they said shortly afterwards how about we make it a week from now instead of the full two weeks (or something like that). They paid me according to how long I worked and no more.
- gnopgnip 6y agoIn CA and many other states have an implied contract exception to at-will employment. If two weeks notice is in the written employee handbook, or they have a history or doing providing it they do need to give two weeks notice or pay in lieu even if you don't agree to any other agreements
- rwmurrayVT 6y agoTell that to all of my former employers...
- kradroy 6y agoIn most jurisdictions the only thing a company in the US is legally required to do is pay you for the days you've worked in the pay period you are terminated. If they let you go, they are also usually required to give you your final paycheck at termination time. Mandatory severance is not part of the law.