MAKE THE DOCUMENT WORK FOR YOUR SITUATION
About this severance agreement — draft
Organize a proposed separation package and release for review. A termination letter states a separation decision; a severance agreement proposes additional consideration and obligations that require separate analysis.
When to use it
- Use as a draft when discussing additional separation compensation or benefits and a proposed release.
- Use the correct individual or group program process where age-claim waivers are involved; this builder does not determine a valid release.
What to gather before completing it
- Separate earned wages, vacation, commissions, and vested benefits from the additional payment offered for a release.
- Identify work locations, applicable agreement category, federal waiver coverage, required advice and attachments, and each review or revocation step.
- Examine the actual release, confidentiality, non-disparagement, cooperation, and restrictive terms; record rights that cannot be waived or suppressed.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Withholding final wages until the employee signs a release or treating money already owed as new consideration.
- Using one review period for every worker, state, and group layoff.
- Barring agency reporting, future claims, or protected workplace discussions through a broad catch-all clause.
After you complete the document
- Retain the final offer, revisions, actual required notices, and delivery evidence.
- Track the applicable revocation process and reviewed effective date before relying on the release.
- Pay the separate components when due and preserve the executed agreement, benefits notices, and wage records.
What the template includes
The online builder and downloaded documents use the same fields. A selected state can add relevant research prompts. Complete only applicable items; add explanations for exceptions rather than assuming a blank entry resolves them.
Document details4 inputs +
Set the date, jurisdiction, and your internal reference.
- Document date *
- US state *
- County
- Document reference
Work location & legal coverage5 inputs +
Record the actual facts, reviewed rule, and supporting references. No answer here certifies a waiver, exemption, restriction, or deadline as valid.
- States where work is actually performed
- Local workforce rules and official references
- Employer size and coverage facts reviewed
- Applicable collective agreement or representation
- Reviewed rule and dated source reference
Severance release review record12 inputs +
Record the actual facts, reviewed rule, and supporting references. No answer here certifies a waiver, exemption, restriction, or deadline as valid.
- Earned wages and benefits owed independently of release
- Additional severance consideration and basis
- ADEA coverage and age waiver review
- Individual or group program category reviewed
- Final offer delivered on
- Material revisions and delivery record
- Reviewed consideration period and basis
- Reviewed revocation method period and contact
- Required program and age information attachment reference
- Protected rights and nonwaivable claim exclusions
- Written attorney consultation advice delivery record
- Reviewed effective date and payment conditions
Earned pay & separation handover6 inputs +
Record the actual facts, reviewed rule, and supporting references. No answer here certifies a waiver, exemption, restriction, or deadline as valid.
- Actual voluntary or involuntary separation circumstances
- Wages commissions expense payments and leave itemization
- Reviewed final pay due date and basis
- Payment method and delivery record
- Separate benefits and required separation notice references
- Property return handled separately from wages
Employment details13 inputs +
Use accurate facts and apply your organization’s policies consistently.
- Employer name *
- Employee name *
- Separation date *
- Proposed severance (USD) *
- Payment timing and conditions *
- Benefits continuation
- Proposed claims release and exclusions *
- Legally required consideration / revocation periods *
- Protected rights and nonwaivable claims *
- Proposed confidentiality terms
- Employment reference arrangements
- Return of property
- Professional review notes
Additional details & signing7 inputs +
Add attachments, exceptions, and the names of authorized signers.
- Attachments / supporting records
- Exceptions / additional terms
- First signer printed name
- First signer title
- Second signer printed name
- Second signer title
- Signing date
California separation agreement review8 inputs +
Record the actual facts, reviewed rule, and supporting references. No answer here certifies a waiver, exemption, restriction, or deadline as valid.
- Separation or negotiated settlement category reviewed
- Written right to consult attorney notice reference
- Separation offer supplied on
- Reviewed business day consultation period and basis
- Federal age waiver process reviewed separately
- Unlawful workplace conduct disclosure carveout reviewed
- Actual confidentiality and non disparagement wording reviewed
- Scope of claims and unknown claims issues reviewed
California final wage record5 inputs +
Record the actual facts, reviewed rule, and supporting references. No answer here certifies a waiver, exemption, restriction, or deadline as valid.
- Discharge or resignation facts and notice supplied
- Reviewed wage payment time and applicable exception
- Accrued unused vacation calculation reference
- Earned commission calculation and conditions
- Reviewed wage delivery location and method
Practical tips
- Be specific. A clear description is easier to verify than a broad label.
- Download Word if you need to add an attachment or adjust the layout.
- Keep the completed document and supporting records together.
Before signing or submitting
A severance release needs jurisdiction-specific review. Waiver limitations, protected activity, age-related waiver rules, and consideration or revocation periods can apply. This is a draft for review.