Employee Termination Release Agreement for the United States

Employee Termination Release Agreement Template for United States

A legally binding agreement used in the United States that documents the terms of an employee's separation from employment and includes a release of claims against the employer. The agreement typically covers severance payments, benefits continuation, confidentiality obligations, and various legal releases while complying with federal laws such as ADEA and state-specific requirements. It serves to protect both the employer from future legal claims and provides the employee with clear terms of their separation package.

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What is a Employee Termination Release Agreement?

The Employee Termination Release Agreement is a crucial document used when ending an employment relationship in the United States. It serves multiple purposes: protecting the employer from potential future litigation, providing the employee with clear severance terms, and ensuring compliance with federal and state employment laws. This agreement is particularly important when offering severance packages or in situations involving sensitive departures. The document must comply with various federal regulations including the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), especially for employees over 40, and may need to address state-specific requirements depending on the jurisdiction.

What sections should be included in a Employee Termination Release Agreement?

1. Parties: Identification of employer and employee

2. Background: Context of employment and termination

3. Definitions: Key terms used throughout the agreement

4. Termination Date: Specific date employment ends and details of final working day

5. Severance Payment: Amount, timing, and terms of severance payment

6. General Release: Employee's comprehensive release of claims against employer and related entities

7. Consideration Period: Acknowledgment of statutory review period (21 days for individual termination, 45 days for group termination)

8. Revocation Rights: Right to revoke acceptance within 7-day period after signing

What sections are optional to include in a Employee Termination Release Agreement?

1. Non-Compete Provisions: Restrictions on future employment and business activities, subject to state law restrictions

2. Confidentiality Obligations: Ongoing obligations regarding confidential information and trade secrets

3. Return of Company Property: Process and timeline for returning company assets, documents, and equipment

4. Reference Provision: Terms and conditions for future employment references and communications

5. Non-Disparagement: Mutual or one-way agreements regarding future communications about the parties

6. Cooperation: Terms for post-employment assistance with transition or legal matters

What schedules should be included in a Employee Termination Release Agreement?

1. Schedule A - Severance Calculation: Detailed breakdown of severance payment and applicable deductions

2. Schedule B - Benefits Continuation: Details of ongoing benefits coverage including health insurance and COBRA rights

3. Schedule C - Company Property Checklist: Itemized list of company property to be returned

4. Schedule D - OWBPA Disclosure: Required disclosure for age-based terminations including job titles and ages

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Genie AI | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Jurisdiction

United States

Publisher

Genie AI

Document Type

Release Agreement

Cost

Free to use
Industries

ADEA Compliance: Age Discrimination in Employment Act requirements including 21-day consideration period, 7-day revocation period, and clear language requirements for employees 40 and older

OWBPA Requirements: Older Workers Benefit Protection Act specifications, including 45-day consideration period for group layoffs and additional protections for group terminations

Title VII Considerations: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act provisions ensuring protection against various forms of discrimination claims

ADA Compliance: Americans with Disabilities Act requirements protecting against disability discrimination claims in the termination process

FLSA Considerations: Fair Labor Standards Act requirements regarding wage and hour claims, ensuring all compensation matters are properly addressed

WARN Act Compliance: Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act requirements for mass layoffs, if applicable to the situation

State Law Compliance: State-specific employment laws, release requirements, non-compete regulations, wage and hour laws, and discrimination protections

IRC 409A Compliance: Internal Revenue Code Section 409A requirements regarding deferred compensation arrangements

ERISA Considerations: Employee Retirement Income Security Act requirements if dealing with benefits in the termination agreement

COBRA Requirements: Continuation of health coverage requirements and necessary notifications under COBRA

NLRA Compliance: National Labor Relations Act considerations if dealing with unionized workplace environments

Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

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