Demand Letters for
Tech Workers

📈

Stock Option Disputes

Terminated before vesting? Shortened exercise window? Fight for your equity. 90-day post-termination windows may be challengeable.

✅ High Value Claims

💰

Severance Negotiations

Average tech severance: 2-4 weeks per year of service. Leverage potential claims for better packages. Review releases carefully.

✅ Negotiable

🚫

Non-Compete/Non-Solicit

California bans non-competes under B&P 16600. Even out-of-state agreements are void. Non-solicits are mostly unenforceable too.

✅ CA Bans Non-Competes

⚠

Exempt Misclassification

Not all "salaried" roles are truly exempt. Many tech workers qualify for overtime. Duties test matters more than job title.

✅ Overtime Recovery

🕑

Unpaid Overtime

"Exempt" workers who shouldn't be exempt can recover years of unpaid overtime. Computer professional exemption has strict requirements.

✅ 3-4 Year Recovery

📣

Whistleblower Retaliation

Fired for reporting ethics violations, safety issues, or legal concerns? Strong protections under Labor Code 1102.5 and SOX.

✅ Strong Protections

🚨

Layoff/WARN Act Issues

Tech layoffs 2023-2024 triggered many WARN Act violations. 60 days notice or 60 days pay required for mass layoffs.

✅ 60-Day Damages

💲

Equity Clawbacks

Company trying to claw back vested equity? Review your agreements. Many clawback provisions are unenforceable in California.

✅ Often Unenforceable

💡

IP Ownership Disputes

Labor Code 2870 protects inventions on personal time. Side projects, open source contributions, and prior work belong to you.

✅ Employee Protections

🏠

Remote Work Expenses

CA Labor Code 2802 requires reimbursement for internet, phone, equipment, and home office costs when working remotely.

✅ Mandatory Reimbursement

🍴

Meal/Rest Break Violations

Yes, even tech workers get breaks. 30-min meal break by hour 5, 10-min rest per 4 hours. One hour premium per violation.

✅ Premium Pay

💼

Contractor Disputes

Disputes with clients over payment, scope creep, or IP rights. Business-to-business demand letters for freelance tech professionals.

✅ Contract Enforcement