Severance Negotiations

Occasionally, when layoffs or terminations occur, an employer may offer departing employees severance payments. Severance may also be offered in exchange for a release of claims an employee has raised against the employer.

In other cases, a termination may occur when the employer is willing to negotiate severance after termination. Strategies for pursing and negotiating severance vary with each case. Moreover, severance packages often contain very restricting language, and the employee should have a complete understanding of the effect of the severance on their ability to address claims against the employer, accept employment with a competitor, solicit business, and/or file for unemployment benefits before signing a severance agreement.