> - Companies aren't required to pay severance when doing layoffs.

The WARN act requires advance notice of 60 days. I think most companies prefer to pay severance, but it's pretty much equivalent. California has more strict rules (mostly excluding a bunch of excuses to skip complying).

So yes, Stripe would technically not be required to give severance in the case of a layoff. But they'd be required to keep the people employed for 60 days after telling them they're going to be laid off. I'm not sure there's much of a distinction?