California Employment Law Resource Center
California Termination and Severance Guides
California employee guides about wrongful termination, constructive discharge, layoffs, final pay, executive severance, releases, RSUs, noncompetes and negotiation leverage.
Guide 36
Wrongful Termination in California: Claims and Evidence
A California guide to the at-will rule, unlawful reasons for termination, FEHA retaliation, and evidence that an employer’s stated reason may not be the real one.
Guide 37
Constructive Discharge in California: Forced to Quit
When a resignation may be treated as a termination because working conditions became objectively intolerable.
Guide 38
California WARN Act: Layoffs and Mass Terminations
A quick guide to notice rights, severance overlap, and the evidence to collect when a reduction in force hits.
Guide 39
California Final Paycheck and Waiting Time Penalties
What must be paid at discharge or resignation, how earned vacation and commissions fit, and when delayed final wages can trigger penalties.
Guide 40
California Executive Severance Agreement Review
A two-page quick study guide for employees before they sign away claims, leverage, or both.
Guide 41
How to Negotiate Executive Severance in California
A two-page playbook for turning legal risk, compensation loss, and transition needs into concrete negotiating terms.
Guide 42
California Severance Agreement Clauses and Releases
What California employees should understand before trading claims and speech rights for severance.
Guide 43
Severance Over 40: OWBPA and Group Layoff Rules
The federal age-discrimination waiver rules that can change review periods, revocation rights, and layoff disclosures.
Guide 44
Bonuses, Commissions and RSUs After Termination
A two-page guide to sorting earned compensation, contingent compensation, and severance leverage.
Guide 45
California Noncompete and Nonsolicit Rules
A California guide to post-employment restraints, lawful confidentiality, and the clauses that deserve close review before signing.
Guide 46
Whistleblower Retaliation as Severance Leverage
How protected complaints, timing, decisionmaker knowledge, and shifting explanations can affect a California exit negotiation.
Need help applying these rules to a real workplace problem?
Contact Ruggles Law Firm for a California employee case evaluation.
This material is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.