Q: Can an employer fire you, give a letter to sign waiving all rights to any EEOC claim in exchange for severance pay?
My employer walked into my office, handed me a check for the two days I had worked, another check for accrued vacation pay, and another check. He then handed me paper work to sign, waiving all rights to any and all discrimination claims. He asked me to read them, sign them and return them in return for my severance pay. I did not have a contract with him. About ten days later, he inquired if I had signed the paper work and that in order to receive my four weeks severance pay, that I needed to sign and return that paper work. He then moved two much younger people into a position that started doing some of the work that I was accomplishing. In California, an at-will employment state, an employer do this? I have not cashed any of the checks he handed me.
A: Yes, an employer can terminate you, pay you all compensation earned and offer you additional compensation in exchange for signing of the release of your potential claims.
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