[WinLychee]

Knowledge work in the US (especially tech) is on another level entirely. You would not be treated this way in retail, service jobs, or at most employers AFAIK (this also depends heavily on the state). As far as I know most employment contracts are at will, and they can fire you and give absolutely nothing. However, for some reason all these tech companies are being very generous with layoffs. Possibly they don't want to burn any bridges for the future?

According to https://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/faq/esa/flsa/007.htm

> There is no requirement in the FLSA for severance pay. Severance pay is a matter of agreement between an employer and an employee (or the employee's representative).

[s1gsegv]

As I understand it, there's the WARN act both federally and at some state levels (namely California where a lot of this is taking place). They require advance notice of layoffs as a worker protection.

However, companies don't want to give advance notice so instead they immediately "lay you off" by removing access to everything, then give you "notice" that you'll be off payroll in some weeks/months as required by the act.

I'm not a lawyer, it seems like a pretty grey interpretation of the law, but at least this is better than no severance.

[JoshuaEN]

It seems like this is more favorable to those being laid off, effectively being paid to look for a new job.

[derivagral]

Depends on the phrasing. I've had to sign a (legal contract) "release of claims" to get what's commonly called a "severance package", which legally for unemployment are separate things. An actual "severance" doesn't require a signature, or so the office told me. IANAL and every state will be different.