{"id":3054,"date":"2025-08-21T17:38:49","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T17:38:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/g96.dce.mytemp.website\/?page_id=3054"},"modified":"2026-09-23T14:53:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T14:53:12","slug":"severance-and-settlement-agreements","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/severance-and-settlement-agreements\/","title":{"rendered":"Severance and Settlement Agreements"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id3054_975462-a9{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id3054_975462-a9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:end;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id3054_975462-a9 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:end;}.kb-row-layout-id3054_975462-a9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );max-width:1242px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;min-height:400px;grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}.kb-row-layout-id3054_975462-a9{background-image:url('http:\/\/g96.dce.mytemp.website\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/rsw_900m-16.webp');background-size:cover;background-position:53% 70%;background-attachment:scroll;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.kb-row-layout-id3054_975462-a9 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.79;background-color:var(--global-palette3, #1A202C);}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id3054_975462-a9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-right:100px;padding-left:100px;grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id3054_975462-a9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:0px;padding-right:30px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:30px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id3054_975462-a9 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(1 of *:not(style)){order:2;}.kb-row-layout-id3054_975462-a9 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(2 of *:not(style)){order:1;}.kb-row-layout-id3054_975462-a9 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(3 of *:not(style)){order:12;}.kb-row-layout-id3054_975462-a9 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(4 of *:not(style)){order:11;}.kb-row-layout-id3054_975462-a9 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(5 of *:not(style)){order:22;}.kb-row-layout-id3054_975462-a9 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(6 of *:not(style)){order:21;}.kb-row-layout-id3054_975462-a9 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(7 of *:not(style)){order:32;}.kb-row-layout-id3054_975462-a9 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(8 of *:not(style)){order:31;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id3054_975462-a9 alignnone has-theme-palette3-background-color kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-layout-overlay kt-row-overlay-normal\"><\/div><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-equal kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-bottom\">\n<style>.kadence-column3054_547975-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:30px;}.kadence-column3054_547975-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3054_547975-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3054_547975-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3054_547975-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column3054_547975-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column3054_547975-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3054_547975-2a{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3054_547975-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column3054_547975-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column3054_547975-2a, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column3054_547975-2a:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3054_547975-2a inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_b8d827-7d, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_b8d827-7d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_b8d827-7d\"]{padding-bottom:20px;line-height:65px;font-style:normal;color:#ffffff;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_b8d827-7d mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_b8d827-7d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_b8d827-7d\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_b8d827-7d img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_b8d827-7d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_b8d827-7d\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_b8d827-7d, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_b8d827-7d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_b8d827-7d\"]{font-size:35px;line-height:52px;}}<\/style>\n<h1 class=\"kt-adv-heading3054_b8d827-7d wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_b8d827-7d\">Severance and Settlement Agreements<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-9-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4b41e1ed36c9af9a192a48cdbf1bc960 wp-block-paragraph\">Michael Trust founded Michael Trust Law, APC after more than 35 years in HR leadership across entertainment, healthcare, higher education, finance, banking, solar energy, and other industries, including managing approximately 35,000 disability and leave-of-absence cases. He holds the SPHR, PHRca, and SHRM-SCP credentials. The PHRca is a California-specific HR credential focused on California employment law and HR practice. According to HRCI&#8217;s published pass-rate statistics at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrci.org\/pass-rates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.hrci.org\/pass-rates<\/a>, the PHRca has the lowest pass rate of all HRCI credentials \u2014 47% as of December 31, 2025, compared with 71\u201384% for HRCI&#8217;s other certifications \u2014 and only 293 candidates worldwide tested for it in 2025. That HR-systems background helps identify HR process issues early, which can shape legal analysis on both sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column3054_fbef79-c6 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3054_fbef79-c6 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3054_fbef79-c6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3054_fbef79-c6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column3054_fbef79-c6 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column3054_fbef79-c6 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3054_fbef79-c6{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3054_fbef79-c6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column3054_fbef79-c6 > 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.kadence-column3054_88e6ce-3f:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3054_88e6ce-3f inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id3054_e4bd0e-ba{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:30px;}.kb-row-layout-id3054_e4bd0e-ba > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id3054_e4bd0e-ba > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id3054_e4bd0e-ba > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1242px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}.kb-row-layout-id3054_e4bd0e-ba > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id3054_e4bd0e-ba > 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class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_7bc4dc-cf, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_7bc4dc-cf[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_7bc4dc-cf\"]{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;font-size:45px;line-height:1.4em;font-weight:600;font-style:normal;text-shadow:0px 0px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_7bc4dc-cf mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_7bc4dc-cf[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_7bc4dc-cf\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_7bc4dc-cf img.kb-inline-image, 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.kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column3054_e5c408-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px;}.kadence-column3054_e5c408-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3054_e5c408-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3054_e5c408-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3054_e5c408-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column3054_e5c408-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column3054_e5c408-ed{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column3054_e5c408-ed{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column3054_e5c408-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column3054_e5c408-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3054_e5c408-ed{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column3054_e5c408-ed{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column3054_e5c408-ed{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column3054_e5c408-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3054_e5c408-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column3054_e5c408-ed{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column3054_e5c408-ed{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column3054_e5c408-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column3054_e5c408-ed > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3054_e5c408-ed inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_f6a70e-7d, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_f6a70e-7d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_f6a70e-7d\"]{font-size:17px;line-height:31px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_f6a70e-7d mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_f6a70e-7d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_f6a70e-7d\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_f6a70e-7d img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_f6a70e-7d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_f6a70e-7d\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading3054_f6a70e-7d wp-block-kadence-advancedheading has-theme-palette-9-color has-text-color\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_f6a70e-7d\">Severance packages can be a powerful tool for employers to reduce risk and buy peace.&nbsp;<strong>Michael Trust Law, APC<\/strong>&nbsp;helps employers design severance agreements that are compliant, defensible, and strategically aligned with business goals.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id3054_3de13f-11{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id3054_3de13f-11 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id3054_3de13f-11 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id3054_3de13f-11 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );max-width:1140px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id3054_3de13f-11 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id3054_3de13f-11 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-right:100px;padding-left:100px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id3054_3de13f-11 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-right:0px;padding-left:0px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id3054_3de13f-11 alignnone has-theme-palette8-background-color kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column3054_529212-eb > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column3054_529212-eb > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3054_529212-eb > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3054_529212-eb > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3054_529212-eb > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column3054_529212-eb > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column3054_529212-eb > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3054_529212-eb{position:relative;}.kadence-column3054_529212-eb, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column3054_529212-eb:not(.specificity){margin-top:-120px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3054_529212-eb > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3054_529212-eb, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column3054_529212-eb:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column3054_529212-eb > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3054_529212-eb inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image3054_d7c4db-09 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image3054_d7c4db-09\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"http:\/\/g96.dce.mytemp.website\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/close-up-of-two-professionals-shaking-hands-in-a-business-environment.-6170758-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Severance and Settlement Agreements\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-3058\" srcset=\"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/close-up-of-two-professionals-shaking-hands-in-a-business-environment.-6170758-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/close-up-of-two-professionals-shaking-hands-in-a-business-environment.-6170758-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/close-up-of-two-professionals-shaking-hands-in-a-business-environment.-6170758-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/close-up-of-two-professionals-shaking-hands-in-a-business-environment.-6170758-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/close-up-of-two-professionals-shaking-hands-in-a-business-environment.-6170758-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/close-up-of-two-professionals-shaking-hands-in-a-business-environment.-6170758-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kadence-column3054_72c85a-ee > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kadence-column3054_72c85a-ee > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3054_72c85a-ee > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3054_72c85a-ee > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3054_72c85a-ee > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column3054_72c85a-ee > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column3054_72c85a-ee > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3054_72c85a-ee{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3054_72c85a-ee > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column3054_72c85a-ee > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3054_72c85a-ee kb-section-dir-vertical\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kadence-column3054_173320-ab{max-width:1140px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}.wp-block-kadence-column.kb-section-dir-horizontal:not(.kb-section-md-dir-vertical)>.kt-inside-inner-col>.kadence-column3054_173320-ab{-webkit-flex:0 1 1140px;flex:0 1 1140px;max-width:unset;margin-left:unset;margin-right:unset;}.kadence-column3054_173320-ab > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column3054_173320-ab > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3054_173320-ab > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3054_173320-ab > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3054_173320-ab > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column3054_173320-ab > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column3054_173320-ab > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3054_173320-ab{position:relative;}@media all and (min-width: 1025px){.wp-block-kadence-column.kb-section-dir-horizontal>.kt-inside-inner-col>.kadence-column3054_173320-ab{-webkit-flex:0 1 1140px;flex:0 1 1140px;max-width:unset;margin-left:unset;margin-right:unset;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3054_173320-ab > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-column.kb-section-sm-dir-vertical:not(.kb-section-sm-dir-horizontal):not(.kb-section-sm-dir-specificity)>.kt-inside-inner-col>.kadence-column3054_173320-ab{max-width:1140px;-webkit-flex:1;flex:1;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}.kadence-column3054_173320-ab > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3054_173320-ab kb-section-dir-vertical\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kadence-column3054_b9dfd6-75{max-width:1140px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}.wp-block-kadence-column.kb-section-dir-horizontal:not(.kb-section-md-dir-vertical)>.kt-inside-inner-col>.kadence-column3054_b9dfd6-75{-webkit-flex:0 1 1140px;flex:0 1 1140px;max-width:unset;margin-left:unset;margin-right:unset;}.kadence-column3054_b9dfd6-75 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kadence-column3054_b9dfd6-75 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3054_b9dfd6-75 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3054_b9dfd6-75 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3054_b9dfd6-75 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column3054_b9dfd6-75 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column3054_b9dfd6-75 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3054_b9dfd6-75{position:relative;}@media all and (min-width: 1025px){.wp-block-kadence-column.kb-section-dir-horizontal>.kt-inside-inner-col>.kadence-column3054_b9dfd6-75{-webkit-flex:0 1 1140px;flex:0 1 1140px;max-width:unset;margin-left:unset;margin-right:unset;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3054_b9dfd6-75 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-column.kb-section-sm-dir-vertical:not(.kb-section-sm-dir-horizontal):not(.kb-section-sm-dir-specificity)>.kt-inside-inner-col>.kadence-column3054_b9dfd6-75{max-width:1140px;-webkit-flex:1;flex:1;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}.kadence-column3054_b9dfd6-75 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3054_b9dfd6-75 kb-section-dir-vertical\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",  \"@type\": \"LegalService\",  \"name\": \"Michael Trust Law, APC\",  \"description\": \"California employment law firm representing private-sector employees and employers throughout California in matters including wage and hour, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, leave and disability, and termination.\", \"serviceType\": \"Employer Severance\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/severance-and-settlement-agreements\",  \"telephone\": \"+1-424-634-9333\",  \"email\": \"michaeltrust@michaeltrustlaw.com\",  \"priceRange\": \"$$\",  \"address\": {    \"@type\": \"PostalAddress\",    \"streetAddress\": \"703 Pier Avenue, Suite B367\",    \"addressLocality\": \"Hermosa Beach\",    \"addressRegion\": \"CA\",    \"postalCode\": \"90254\",    \"addressCountry\": \"US\"  },  \"areaServed\": {    \"@type\": \"State\",    \"name\": \"California\"  },  \"founder\": {    \"@type\": \"Person\",    \"name\": \"Michael Trust, Esq.\",    \"jobTitle\": \"Attorney\",    \"hasCredential\": [      \"SPHR (HR Certification Institute)\",      \"PHRca (HR Certification Institute, California-specific)\",      \"SHRM-SCP (Society for Human Resource Management)\"    ]  },  \"sameAs\": [    \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/caemploymentlawyer\/\",    \"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MichaelTrustLaw\",    \"https:\/\/apps.calbar.ca.gov\/attorney\/Licensee\/Detail\/356354\"  ]}<\/script><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\":[\n    {\n      \"@type\":\"Question\",\n      \"name\":\"Our severance agreement does not specifically reference Civil Code section 1542. Does that matter?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\":{\n        \"@type\":\"Answer\",\n        \"text\":\"It can matter a great deal. Cal. Civ. Code \\u00a71542 requires specific waiver language before a release can cover claims the employee does not know about or suspect at the time of signing. Without that language, a court may read the release narrowly, leaving unknown claims outside its scope.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\":\"Question\",\n      \"name\":\"Can we still include a PAGA waiver in our severance agreement?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\":{\n        \"@type\":\"Answer\",\n        \"text\":\"With real limits. Adolph v. Uber Technologies, Inc. (2023) 14 Cal.5th 1104 held that an employee who signs an individual arbitration agreement does not lose standing to pursue non-individual PAGA claims in court, which substantially narrows what a PAGA waiver can actually accomplish. A waiver drafted before Adolph should be revisited.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\":\"Question\",\n      \"name\":\"Is a 7-day revocation period required on every severance agreement we send out?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\":{\n        \"@type\":\"Answer\",\n        \"text\":\"Only where a federal age-discrimination waiver is involved. The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA), 29 U.S.C. \\u00a7626(f), requires the 7-day revocation period, along with a 21-day (or 45-day, for group terminations) consideration period, specifically for employees age 40 or older who are waiving age claims. Agreements with younger employees are not subject to this particular federal requirement, though other considerations may still apply.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\":\"Question\",\n      \"name\":\"Can we condition an employee's final paycheck on signing the severance agreement?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\":{\n        \"@type\":\"Answer\",\n        \"text\":\"No. Cal. Lab. Code \\u00a7\\u00a7201-203 requires all wages already earned to be paid immediately upon an involuntary termination, regardless of whether the employee signs a severance agreement. Severance pay is separate consideration for the release and cannot be used to delay or condition wages the employee has already earned.\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_36c2ff-25, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_36c2ff-25[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_36c2ff-25\"]{font-size:30px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_36c2ff-25 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_36c2ff-25[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_36c2ff-25\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_36c2ff-25 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_36c2ff-25[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_36c2ff-25\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading3054_36c2ff-25 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_36c2ff-25\">California Severance and Settlement Agreements \u2014 Employer Counsel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Severance and settlement agreements in California must comply with several layered statutory requirements. For employees age 40 or older, the federal Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.govinfo.gov\/app\/details\/USCODE-2023-title29\/USCODE-2023-title29-chap14-sec626\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">29 U.S.C. \u00a7626<\/a>(f), requires a 21-day consideration period (45 days for group terminations) and a 7-day post-execution revocation period, plus specific disclosure requirements. <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1542.&amp;lawCode=CIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cal. Civ. Code \u00a71542<\/a> requires specific waiver language to release unknown claims. And <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1001.&amp;lawCode=CCP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cal. Code Civ. Proc. \u00a71001<\/a> (effective 2019, expanded since) limits the scope of harassment-related confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_730942-dd, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_730942-dd[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_730942-dd\"]{font-size:30px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_730942-dd mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_730942-dd[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_730942-dd\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_730942-dd img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_730942-dd[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_730942-dd\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading3054_730942-dd wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_730942-dd\">Common Severance Drafting Issues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Common drafting issues that create exposure or unenforceability include OWBPA non-compliance for employees age 40 or older; overbroad non-disparagement or confidentiality clauses that conflict with <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1001.&amp;lawCode=CCP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cal. Code Civ. Proc. \u00a71001<\/a> (in the harassment context) or with the National Labor Relations Act protections for concerted activity; PAGA waiver language that is now substantially limited after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.courts.ca.gov\/opinions\/archive\/S274671.PDF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A<em>dolph v. Uber Technologies, Inc. <\/em>(2023) 14 Cal.5th 1104<\/a>; and final-pay timing failures that create separate liability under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=201.&amp;lawCode=LAB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cal. Lab. Code \u00a7\u00a7201-203<\/a>. Whether a particular severance package is fully enforceable depends on the workforce context, the employee&#8217;s age, the nature of the underlying claims, and the specific drafting \u2014 all fact-specific.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_90a26d-37, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_90a26d-37[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_90a26d-37\"]{font-size:30px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_90a26d-37 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_90a26d-37[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_90a26d-37\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_90a26d-37 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_90a26d-37[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_90a26d-37\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading3054_90a26d-37 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_90a26d-37\">When to Contact Us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Severance agreements drafted from outdated templates are a common source of preventable exposure. Contact Michael Trust Law, APC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Initial contact does not create an attorney-client relationship \u2014 see <a href=\"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/disclaimers\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"3208\">Disclaimers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.govinfo.gov\/app\/details\/USCODE-2023-title29\/USCODE-2023-title29-chap14-sec626\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">29 U.S.C. \u00a7626<\/a>(f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.govinfo.gov\/app\/details\/USCODE-2023-title29\/USCODE-2023-title29-chap14-sec626\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">)<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1542.&amp;lawCode=CIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cal. Civ. Code \u00a71542<\/a>;<em><em> <\/em><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1001.&amp;lawCode=CCP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cal. Code Civ. Proc. \u00a71001<\/a>;<em><em> <\/em><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=201.&amp;lawCode=LAB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cal. Lab. Code \u00a7\u00a7201-203<\/a>;<em><em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.courts.ca.gov\/opinions\/archive\/S274671.PDF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Adolph v. Uber Technologies, Inc. <\/a><\/em><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.courts.ca.gov\/opinions\/archive\/S274671.PDF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2023) 14 Cal.5th 1104<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_53da0e-1c, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_53da0e-1c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_53da0e-1c\"]{font-size:20px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_53da0e-1c mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_53da0e-1c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_53da0e-1c\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_53da0e-1c img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_53da0e-1c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_53da0e-1c\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading3054_53da0e-1c wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_53da0e-1c\">Explore Related Employer Services<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/employment-contracts-2\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/employment-contracts-2\/\">Employment Contracts<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/employee-relations\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/employee-relations\/\">Employee Relations<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/wage-hour-pay-equity\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/wage-hour-pay-equity\/\">Wage &amp; Hour Compliance<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/whistleblower-2\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/whistleblower-2\/\">Whistleblower Defense<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\r\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/topics\/\">\r\n            Browse all California employment law topics\r\n            <span aria-hidden=\"true\">\u2192<\/span>\r\n        <\/a>\r\n    <\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column3054_f2206e-a4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kadence-column3054_f2206e-a4 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3054_f2206e-a4 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3054_f2206e-a4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3054_f2206e-a4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column3054_f2206e-a4 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column3054_f2206e-a4 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3054_f2206e-a4{position:relative;}.kadence-column3054_f2206e-a4, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column3054_f2206e-a4:not(.specificity){margin-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);margin-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3054_f2206e-a4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column3054_f2206e-a4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column3054_f2206e-a4, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column3054_f2206e-a4:not(.specificity){margin-right:0px;margin-left:0px;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3054_f2206e-a4 kb-section-dir-vertical\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_9c9aae-9c, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_9c9aae-9c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_9c9aae-9c\"]{text-align:center;font-size:30px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_9c9aae-9c mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_9c9aae-9c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_9c9aae-9c\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_9c9aae-9c img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_9c9aae-9c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_9c9aae-9c\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading3054_9c9aae-9c wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_9c9aae-9c\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 .kt-accordion-inner-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:0px;}.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 .kt-accordion-panel-inner{border-top:0px solid transparent;border-right:0px solid transparent;border-bottom:0px solid transparent;border-left:0px solid transparent;padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header{border-top:1px solid #f2f2f2;border-right:1px solid #f2f2f2;border-bottom:1px solid #f2f2f2;border-left:1px solid #f2f2f2;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;background:var(--global-palette9, #ffffff);color:#555555;padding-top:9px;padding-right:13px;padding-bottom:9px;padding-left:13px;}.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basiccircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclosecircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrowcircle )  > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:after, .kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basiccircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclosecircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrowcircle )  > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:before{background:#555555;}.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger{background:#555555;}.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:after, .kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:before{background:var(--global-palette9, #ffffff);}.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header:hover, \n\t\t\t\tbody:not(.hide-focus-outline) .kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 .kt-blocks-accordion-header:focus-visible{color:#444444;background:#eeeeee;border-top:1px solid #878787;border-right:1px solid #878787;border-bottom:1px solid #878787;border-left:1px solid #878787;}.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basiccircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclosecircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrowcircle ) .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:hover .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:after, .kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basiccircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclosecircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrowcircle ) .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:hover .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:before, body:not(.hide-focus-outline) .kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basiccircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclosecircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrowcircle ) .kt-blocks-accordion--visible .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:after, body:not(.hide-focus-outline) .kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basiccircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclosecircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrowcircle ) .kt-blocks-accordion-header:focus-visible .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:before{background:#444444;}.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:hover .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger, body:not(.hide-focus-outline) .kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:focus-visible .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger{background:#444444;}.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:hover .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:after, .kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:hover .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:before, body:not(.hide-focus-outline) .kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:focus-visible .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:after, body:not(.hide-focus-outline) .kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:focus-visible .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:before{background:#eeeeee;}.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:focus-visible,\n\t\t\t\t.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header.kt-accordion-panel-active{color:#ffffff;background:#444444;border-top:1px solid #444444;border-right:1px solid #444444;border-bottom:1px solid #444444;border-left:1px solid #444444;}.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basiccircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclosecircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrowcircle )  > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header.kt-accordion-panel-active .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:after, .kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basiccircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclosecircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrowcircle )  > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header.kt-accordion-panel-active .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:before{background:#ffffff;}.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-blocks-accordion-header.kt-accordion-panel-active .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger{background:#ffffff;}.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-blocks-accordion-header.kt-accordion-panel-active .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:after, .kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-blocks-accordion-header.kt-accordion-panel-active .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:before{background:#444444;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 .kt-accordion-panel-inner{border-top:0px solid transparent;border-right:0px solid transparent;border-bottom:0px solid transparent;border-left:0px solid transparent;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header{border-top:1px solid #f2f2f2;border-right:1px solid #f2f2f2;border-bottom:1px solid #f2f2f2;border-left:1px solid #f2f2f2;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header:hover, \n\t\t\t\tbody:not(.hide-focus-outline) .kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 .kt-blocks-accordion-header:focus-visible{border-top:1px solid #878787;border-right:1px solid #878787;border-bottom:1px solid #878787;border-left:1px solid #878787;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:focus-visible,\n\t\t\t\t.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header.kt-accordion-panel-active{border-top:1px solid #444444;border-right:1px solid #444444;border-bottom:1px solid #444444;border-left:1px solid #444444;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 .kt-accordion-inner-wrap{display:block;}.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 .kt-accordion-inner-wrap .kt-accordion-pane:not(:first-child){margin-top:0px;}.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 .kt-accordion-panel-inner{border-top:0px solid transparent;border-right:0px solid transparent;border-bottom:0px solid transparent;border-left:0px solid transparent;}.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header{border-top:1px solid #f2f2f2;border-right:1px solid #f2f2f2;border-bottom:1px solid #f2f2f2;border-left:1px solid #f2f2f2;}.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header:hover, \n\t\t\t\tbody:not(.hide-focus-outline) .kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 .kt-blocks-accordion-header:focus-visible{border-top:1px solid #878787;border-right:1px solid #878787;border-bottom:1px solid #878787;border-left:1px solid #878787;}.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:focus-visible,\n\t\t\t\t.kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header.kt-accordion-panel-active{border-top:1px solid #444444;border-right:1px solid #444444;border-bottom:1px solid #444444;border-left:1px solid #444444;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-accordion alignnone\"><div class=\"kt-accordion-wrap kt-accordion-id3054_b98c30-07 kt-accordion-has-5-panes kt-active-pane-0 kt-accordion-block kt-pane-header-alignment-left kt-accodion-icon-style-basic kt-accodion-icon-side-right\" style=\"max-width:none\"><div class=\"kt-accordion-inner-wrap\" data-allow-multiple-open=\"false\" data-start-open=\"0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-pane kt-accordion-pane kt-accordion-pane-1 kt-pane3054_841d33-ee\"><div class=\"kt-accordion-header-wrap\"><button class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-header kt-acccordion-button-label-show\" type=\"button\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-title-wrap\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-title\">Our severance agreement does not specifically reference Civil Code section 1542. Does that matter?<\/span><\/span><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"kt-accordion-panel kt-accordion-panel-hidden\"><div class=\"kt-accordion-panel-inner\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_10e5d7-58, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_10e5d7-58[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_10e5d7-58\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_10e5d7-58 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_10e5d7-58[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_10e5d7-58\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_10e5d7-58 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_10e5d7-58[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_10e5d7-58\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading3054_10e5d7-58 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_10e5d7-58\">It can matter a great deal. <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1542.&amp;lawCode=CIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cal. Civ. Code \u00a71542<\/a> requires specific waiver language before a release can cover claims the employee does not know about or suspect at the time of signing. Without that language, a court may read the release narrowly, leaving unknown claims outside its scope.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-pane kt-accordion-pane kt-accordion-pane-3 kt-pane3054_72229d-9b\"><div class=\"kt-accordion-header-wrap\"><button class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-header kt-acccordion-button-label-show\" type=\"button\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-title-wrap\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-title\">Can we still include a PAGA waiver in our severance agreement?<\/span><\/span><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"kt-accordion-panel kt-accordion-panel-hidden\"><div class=\"kt-accordion-panel-inner\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_8ecabb-f0, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_8ecabb-f0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_8ecabb-f0\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_8ecabb-f0 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_8ecabb-f0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_8ecabb-f0\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_8ecabb-f0 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3054_8ecabb-f0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_8ecabb-f0\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading3054_8ecabb-f0 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3054_8ecabb-f0\">With real limits.<em> <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.courts.ca.gov\/opinions\/archive\/S274671.PDF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Adolph v. Uber Technologies, Inc<\/em>. (2023) 14 Cal.5th 1104<\/a> held that an employee who signs an individual arbitration agreement does not lose standing to pursue non-individual PAGA claims in court, which substantially narrows what a PAGA waiver can actually accomplish. A waiver drafted before Adolph should be revisited.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-pane kt-accordion-pane kt-accordion-pane-4 kt-pane3054_da217b-f8\"><div class=\"kt-accordion-header-wrap\"><button class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-header kt-acccordion-button-label-show\" type=\"button\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-title-wrap\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-title\">Is a 7-day revocation period required on every severance agreement we send out?<\/span><\/span><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"kt-accordion-panel kt-accordion-panel-hidden\"><div class=\"kt-accordion-panel-inner\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Only where a federal age-discrimination waiver is involved. The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.govinfo.gov\/app\/details\/USCODE-2023-title29\/USCODE-2023-title29-chap14-sec626\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">29 U.S.C. \u00a7626<\/a>(f), requires the 7-day revocation period, along with a 21-day (or 45-day, for group terminations) consideration period, specifically for employees age 40 or older who are waiving age claims. Agreements with younger employees are not subject to this particular federal requirement, though other considerations may still apply.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-pane kt-accordion-pane kt-accordion-pane-5 kt-pane3054_325610-8a\"><div class=\"kt-accordion-header-wrap\"><button class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-header kt-acccordion-button-label-show\" type=\"button\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-title-wrap\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-title\">Can we condition an employee\u2019s final paycheck on signing the severance agreement?<\/span><\/span><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"kt-accordion-panel kt-accordion-panel-hidden\"><div class=\"kt-accordion-panel-inner\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=201.&amp;lawCode=LAB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cal. Lab. Code \u00a7\u00a7201-203<\/a> requires all wages already earned to be paid immediately upon an involuntary termination, regardless of whether the employee signs a severance agreement. Severance pay is separate consideration for the release and cannot be used to delay or condition wages the employee has already earned.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column3054_2bcc13-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3054_2bcc13-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3054_2bcc13-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3054_2bcc13-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column3054_2bcc13-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column3054_2bcc13-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3054_2bcc13-a0{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3054_2bcc13-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column3054_2bcc13-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3054_2bcc13-a0\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<section aria-labelledby=\"legal-guidance-heading\" style=\"background-color:#1f344a; padding:60px 20px; text-align:center;\">\n  <h3 id=\"legal-guidance-heading\" style=\"font-size:2.2rem; line-height:1.3; margin-bottom:20px; color:#ffffff;\">\n    Employer Severance Agreements\n  <\/h3>\n <p style=\"color:#ffffff; font-size:1rem; line-height:1.6; max-width:800px; margin:0 auto 30px;\">\n    Michael Trust Law, APC drafts severance and settlement agreements, including release and non-disparagement provisions, tailored to the circumstances of each departure. Contact  Michael Trust Law, APC to discuss your situation.\n  <\/p>\n  <a href=\"http:\/\/g96.dce.mytemp.website\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Contact Michael Trust Law, APC to get expert legal guidance\" style=\"display:inline-block; background-color:#0B3A6A; color:#ffffff; padding:14px 28px; font-size:1rem; font-weight:600; text-decoration:none; border-radius:6px;\">\n    Contact Michael Trust Law, APC Today\n  <\/a>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Severance and Settlement Agreements Michael Trust founded Michael Trust Law, APC after more than 35 years in HR leadership across entertainment, healthcare, higher education, finance, banking, solar energy, and other&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"hide","_kad_post_layout":"fullwidth","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"unboxed","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"hide","_kad_post_feature":"hide","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3054","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3054","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3054"}],"version-history":[{"count":36,"href":"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3054\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7589,"href":"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3054\/revisions\/7589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaeltrustlaw.com\/mystaging01\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3054"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}