Although employee releases have many uses, they are most often used when you lack proper documentation to fire, but you want to cut off an employment relationship and avoid the possibility of a lawsuit. They can also be used to offer early retirement to a worker, or when you are seeking to end an employment contract early by "buying out" the worker.
To be effective, the release must be:
- in writing
- signed by the employee who is waiving the right to sue
- a knowing and voluntary waiver
- supported by adequate consideration (This means that you must give the employee something of value in return, something that he or she would not receive without signing the release.)
Make sure that the release can be read easily (this means that the typeface should be large enough and the language used can be understood by the employee).