Generally, a waiver in a severance agreement is valid when an employee knowingly and voluntarily consents to signing it. If an employee alleges that the waiver is not valid because he did not sign it knowingly and voluntarily, the analysis of the knowingly and voluntarily requirement is dependent on the statute under which suit was, or could be, brought.
Moreover, a valid agreement also must: (1) offer some sort of consideration, such as additional compensation, in exchange for the employee’s waiver of the right to sue; (2) not require the employee to waive future rights; and (3) comply with applicable state and federal laws.