Legal Question in Business Law in Virginia

Can an employee have you sign away your right to unemployment?

The company I work for has permenantly terminated 49 jobs and 49 of us have been given a 60 day notice of the ending of our job. Our company has agreed to pay us a small severance pay but we have to sign a waiver stating that we will not submit any claims against the company; including but not limited to discrimination. I wanted to know that by the term ''any claims'' can that mean we may be signing our rights away to any unemployment benefits that we would normally be entitled to? Can a company have you sign your unemployment rights away. Contract is drawn up and all legal matters are to be settled in Virginia.


Asked on 7/11/01, 6:00 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Daniel Press Chung & Press, P.C.

Re: Can an employee have you sign away your right to unemployment?

This does not waive unemployment benefits, which are a claim you have with the state, not with the company. Severance pay may effect the start date of such benefits, however.

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Answered on 7/12/01, 12:28 pm


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