🇺🇸 USA Employee Rights & End-of-Job Hub

Every Calcnate calculator and guide for USA, in one place — free, instant, and sourced from USA law.

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US employment is at-will, and there is no federal statutory severance — so instead of a severance formula, these pages honestly explain what you're legally owed when a job ends. That means your accrued PTO/vacation (which some states require to be paid out), your final paycheck (with state deadlines), and your rights under the WARN Act to advance notice of a mass layoff.

These are sourced reference pages, not calculators — because the honest answer in most cases depends on your state and your employer's written policy. Always confirm with your state labor department.

USA reference guides

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Final Paycheck Timing by State

When must you get your final paycheck after leaving a US job? A sourced state-by-state reference — California …

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PTO & Vacation Payout by State

Which US states require payout of accrued unused PTO/vacation when you leave a job — California, Illinois, Mas…

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The WARN Act, Explained

The federal WARN Act in plain English — who's covered (100+ employees), what triggers it (plant closing 50+, m…

USA guides & how-tos

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Final Paycheck Late or Short? What to Do by State (2026)

Steps to take if your US final paycheck is late, short, or missing wages/vacation — including state deadlines …

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How to Claim Unpaid PTO After Leaving a US Job (2026)

What to do if your employer didn't pay out your accrued PTO/vacation when you left — a practical, state-aware …

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Didn't Get 60 Days' Layoff Notice? WARN Act Steps (2026)

What to do if you were laid off without the WARN Act's 60-day notice — how the back-pay remedy works and how t…

Other countries

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Estimates and general guidance only — not legal advice. Each calculator cites its source law; confirm final figures with the relevant authority (GOV.UK/ACAS, ontario.ca/canada.ca, Fair Work Ombudsman, or your US state labor department).

Frequently asked questions

Is severance pay required by law in the US?

No. US employment is at-will and there is no federal law requiring severance pay. Severance is only owed if your employer's policy, an employment contract, or a WARN Act situation provides for it.

When must I receive my final paycheck?

It depends on your state. Some states (such as California) require immediate payment when an employer ends the job; others allow payment by the next regular payday. Check your state labor department — see our final paycheck by state guide.

Do I get paid for unused PTO when I leave a US job?

It varies by state. States like California, Illinois and Massachusetts treat accrued vacation as earned wages that must be paid out; other states permit 'use-it-or-lose-it' policies. See our PTO payout by state page for the details.

What is the WARN Act?

The federal WARN Act requires employers with 100+ employees to give 60 days' written notice of a mass layoff or plant closing. If they fail to, affected workers may be owed back pay and benefits for each day of missing notice, up to 60 days.