Legal Question in Employment Law in California

Re: Forced Relocation / Severance due if I won't go?

The answer depends on whether you have a contract with the company which requires that you be based out of California. Without a contractual commitment, the employer is free to allocate its personnel any way it deems necessary. To challenge the decision, you would have to show the move was motivated by illegal reasons (i.e. discriminatory, etc.). As for severance pay, you should know that there is no law that requires employers to pay severance. However, if there is an established severance plan, the employer is required to follow the terms of the plan. You should check any material that discusses employee benefits or check with the Human Resources Department. Without such a plan, severance is discretionary. The company may agree to pay severance to you if you approach them in a diplomatic manner and raise the issue. You will probably be asked to sign some legal documents which you should have reviewed by an attorney before signing.