After 20 years of employment, can I be laid off with no severance package or severance agreement?
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After 20 years of employment, can I be laid off with no severance package or severance agreement?
On Sunday afternoon, my boss called me to tell me he is laying me off. He said that he found a new person who would be starting the next day, Monday and for me to call the office manager to arrange a date and time for me to come pick up my personal belongings and to turn in the work phone and office keys. He said my final check would be for the 9 vacation days I have accrued. Is this legal? After 20 years of exemplary service, surely I should get some type of severance package?
Asked on April 25, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, California
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
Unless receiving a severance package is provided for under the terms of an employment contract or union agreement, then you have no protection or claim here. The fact is that receiving severance is not legally mandated. Bottom line, a company can set the conditions of employment much as is it sees fit (absent some form of legally actionable discrimination).
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