Labor & Employment Law Blog

SB 331 expands on these existing prohibitions. Under SB 331, effective January 1, 2022, the prohibition on confidentiality applies to any type of workplace harassment or discrimination claims, not just those based on sex. The new law thus makes it an unlawful employment practice for employers to prevent disclosure of information about unlawful acts of harassment, discrimination or retaliation in the workplace in “any agreement related to an employee’s separation from employment,” rendering such agreements unenforceable and against California’s public policy. Further, non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions must include language relating to the employee’s right to disclose information about unlawful acts in the workplace substantially similar to: “Nothing in this agreement prevents you from discussing or disclosing information about unlawful acts in the workplace, such as harassment or discrimination or any other conduct that you have reason to believe is unlawful.”  

While confidentiality of the severance amount remains permitted, the amendment to Government Code section 12964.5 requires employers offering severance agreements with general releases to advise employees to consult with counsel and to provide a reasonable period of time, not less than five days, to do so. Thus, beginning in 2022, all employees (including employees under age 40) must be provided with a minimum of five days to consider an offered severance/separation agreement. Of course, an employee may elect to sign a severance agreement in less than five days, as long as the shortened period is “knowing and voluntary” and not induced by the employer’s “fraud, misrepresentation, or threat to withdraw or alter the offer.”  

The bill’s use of the terms “any agreement related to an employee’s separation from employment” may be construed to mean that it can also apply to settlement agreements related to an employee’s separation. However, Section 12964.5(d) clarifies the restrictions do not apply to a “negotiated settlement agreement to resolve an underlying (FEHA) claim that has been filed by an employee in court, before an administrative agency, in an alternative dispute resolution forum, or through an employer’s internal complaint process.”  

Also notable for employers, SB 331 clarifies that any limitations on confidentiality in releases and agreements related to separation do not apply to provisions protecting the employer’s trade secrets, proprietary information, or other confidential information.  

Employers will need to be mindful of these changes to the law when entering into severance and settlement agreements on or after January 1, 2022.  Employers with questions regarding SB 331 or for assistance with revisions to employee severance or separation agreements may contact the authors or their usual employment counsel at AALRR.

This AALRR post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in reaching a conclusion in a particular area of law. Applicability of the legal principles discussed may differ substantially in individual situations. Receipt of this or any other AALRR publication does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Firm is not responsible for inadvertent errors that may occur in the publishing process.  

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